Stabbing victim testifies in Sycamore Inn attempted murder case

RANCHO CUCAMONGA -- A manager at the historic Sycamore Inn steakhouse took the witness stand today and detailed an alleged robbery attempt and near-fatal stabbing in 2007 at the hands of a former employee.

Louis Alvarez testified in West Valley Superior Court that Travis Lee Mascarenas, a former assistant manager, ambushed him as he was closing the Rancho Cucamonga restaurant on Aug. 7, 2007, then stabbed him in the neck.

Mascarenas, 40, is standing trial on charges of attempted murder, attempted robbery and burglary, and could face a life sentence if convicted.

In an opening statement, Mascarenas' attorney defended the Colton resident's actions, telling jurors Mascarenas is not guilty because he was intoxicated during the incident and didn't know what he was doing.

Deputy District Attorney Kyung Kim told jurors that Mascarenas planned out his robbery attempt, arriving on a Tuesday night because he believed a different manager, who might not recognize him, would be working.

But because of a schedule change, Alvarez was working. And when Mascarenas realized there was a witness to his alleged robbery attempt who could identify him to police, he attacked, Kim said.

"His intent was to kill Mr. Alvarez once he was recognized," Kim told jurors.

Alvarez testified that at about 10 p.m. the night of the incident, all the restaurants patrons had left and he was working on closing.

He testified that after he shut off a light in one of the top-floor banquet rooms, he heard footsteps running toward him.

He said the area of the restaurant was nearly dark and the man's face wasn't visible when he stopped running beside Alvarez and grabbed his arm.

"I'm desperate for money," the man told Alvarez, according to Alvarez's testimony. "I'm just here to rob you."

After the man ordered Alvarez to walk to the office -- where the business' safe is located -- Alvarez said he believed he recognized the man's voice as Mascarenas'.

Mascarenas worked at the restaurant for about three months in 2007, quitting the job at the end of June, Alvarez testified.

As the robber led him toward the office, Alvarez turned on a light switch, illuminating the alleged robber's face. It was Mascarenas, Alvarez said.

Within 10 seconds of turning on the light, Alvarez said he turned his head and looked away from Mascarenas. He said he immediately felt what seemed at first to be a punch to the right side of his neck.

"I looked. I got hit," Alvarez said. "It was that fast."

He realized he had been stabbed when he saw a bloody knife in Mascarenas' hand, Alvarez testified.

The two men struggled over the knife, it fell out of Mascarenas' hand, and Alvarez that he kicked it away, he testified.

Mascarenas bent down to pick up the weapon, giving Alvarez an opportunity to break free from his grip and escape to the kitchen area, where there were other workers.

Mascarenas' attorney, Mary Bernal-Flores, told jurors that Mascarenas was under the influence of "a substance."

His erratic behavior during the incident was caused by his intoxication, Bernal-Flores said.

When Mascarenas was arrested at his home, he was so drunk "that at one point (officers) lifted him up and dragged him to the jail," Bernal-Flores said.

"Mr. Mascarenas did not know what he was doing on that day," the attorney said. "... He is not guilty."