Irvine, Calif. (May 1, 2017) – The Irvine Police Department on Thursday arrested Ziwen Li, 30, of Arcadia on charges of attempted robbery and criminal threats after he tried to steal $50,000 in cash from a victim in the parking lot of a McDonald’s restaurant in the Orchard Hills neighborhood.
On Tuesday, April 25, a male victim had arranged to meet Li in the parking lot of the McDonald’s located at 3853 Portola Parkway in order to purchase a Porsche Cayenne the suspect had listed for sale. The victim brought $50,000 cash to buy the vehicle. When the victim arrived and got into the vehicle with the suspect, Li said that he was not there to sell the car, but would be taking the money for a friend. When the victim attempted to exit the vehicle, Li pulled him back into the car and tried to grab the backpack that contained the cash. The victim resisted, and the suspect punched him twice in the face. The victim began to scream and was heard by nearby witnesses. The victim was then able to escape the vehicle with his backpack. As Li drove away, he yelled threatening statements toward the victim.
On Thursday, April 27, Irvine Police Department detectives were able to locate Li in Arcadia. He was arrested and transported to the Irvine Police Department and ultimately booked at Orange County Jail.
Anyone with further information in this case is asked to contact Irvine Police Department Detective Keith Herter at 949-724-7183 or kherter@cityofirvine.org.
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