Gang Member Allegedly Stabs Man with Screwdriver Outside Altadena Restaurant

A 27-year gang member was locked up Monday for stabbing a man five times with a screwdriver outside a Altadena restaurant.

Juan Cortez, 27, of Altadena, was arrested in the attack near Altadena Drive and Lincoln Avenue, which occurred about 5:15 p.m. Thursday, according to sheriff's deputies at the Altadena station.

Cortez confronted a man with his family, removed his shirt to expose a tattoo of "Pasadena" emblazoned across his chest and announced his gang affiliation, deputies said.

Cortez swung at the man, who ducked and punched Cortez, knocking him to the ground, witnesses told police.

Cortez then allegedly went after the man with a screwdriver, leaving him with puncture wounds to his lower back and a cut on an arm, police said.

The victim drove himself to Huntington Memorial Hospital, deputies said.

Cortez, spotted by patrol deputies, was arrested on Friday about 6:20 p.m. near Howard Street and Glen Avenue in Pasadena.

—City News Service