A 50-year-old woman from San Diego County is in custody on $1 million bail after beating another woman with a rock to whom she owed $100,000. Authorities say Minh Tam Thi Phan lured the victim Catherine H. to an Orange County restaurant under the guise that she was going to pay her back for the money Catherine H. loaned her. Phan drove to a restaurant in Westminster where she pretended the money was kept. When she returned to the car, she drove away and pulled into a residential neighborhood.

When they pulled over, Phan beat the victim over the head with a rock. The victim was able to get out of the vehicle and summoned help. When the victim left, Phan locked herself in the vehicle and hit herself with the rock, presumably to say she was assaulted by Catherine H.

Phan is charged with premeditated attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon and false imprisonment. Several charges contain sentencing enhancements for causing great bodily injury. If convicted on the Orange County criminal case, Phan faces 11 years to life in prison.