Fight with girlfriend led to Chino stabbing, reports indicate

CHINO -- Edward Arthur Roman was reportedly drunk and angry about his misplaced cell phone when he stabbed two housemates this month in a gated community here, according to police reports attached to his court file.

Roman, 25, has been charged with two counts of attempted murder for the Nov. 9 incident in the 12400 block of Northpark Avenue, and he may face a life prison sentence if convicted.

Witnesses told police that Roman passed out after a night of drinking beer and other alcoholic drinks, according to police reports.

When he woke up at about 2 a.m., Roman searched for his cell phone but failed to find it, witnesses told police.

He went to an upstairs bedroom where his girlfriend of 10 years was sleeping, and he woke her up and began attacking her, demanding to know where his phone was, witnesses told police. The couple has two children together, according to police reports.

Two of Roman's housemates -- a father and his son -- heard Roman fighting with his girlfriend and tried to intervene to break up the fight.

Roman allegedly told the men, "I'm going to kill you," before going downstairs and retrieving two six-inch kitchen knives, witnesses told police.

When the father and son followed Roman downstairs, Roman reportedly told them, "Don't (mess) with me, I'm a crazy (expletive)." He then stabbed the father and son several times, both alleged victims told police.

The father was hospitalized with two stab wounds, each about one inch deep, and Roman was hospitalized with a single stab wound to the back, according to police reports.

Roman appeared in Chino Superior Court this morning to schedule a preliminary hearing. The court appearance was postponed to Dec. 9.

Roman remains jailed in lieu of $1 million bail at West Valley Detention Center in Rancho Cucamonga, according to booking records.

Prior to his arrest, Roman told police from his hospital bed that he retrieved the knives to defend himself against the father and son, according to police reports.