Santa Barbara man arrested for sucker-punching grandfather with baby
A 29-year-old man who was caught on camera attacking an Asian grandfather pushing a stroller in California was arrested by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department on Wednesday.
What happened: According to police, the assault occurred on the 4000 block of Lost Springs Road in the city of Calabasas at around 4:40 p.m. on Dec. 5. The suspect, now identified as Angel Sanchez Jr., a resident of Santa Barbara, reportedly parked his vehicle in a driveway of a nearby residence before approaching the 60-year-old grandfather who was crossing the street with his infant grandchild in a stroller.
In the security footage of the attack, Sanchez can be seen sucker-punching the victim in the face, causing him to fall to the ground and the stroller to crash onto its side. Sanchez then returns to his car and flees the scene.
Another assault: Sanchez is also suspected of attacking Nathan Manyari, a 14-year-old boy, on the same afternoon. According to the boy, the same man assaulted him while he was on a trail near Agoura Road, walking from his friend’s house to his boxing gym.
“He was waiting for it to clear up so nobody saw and a minute later he starts jogging,” Manyari told NBC Los Angeles. “He came up behind me and grabbed me, he tried to hit the back of my head first. I protected myself pretty good. I hit him in the stomach, but it wasn’t that effective. He kept grabbing my shirt and he threw me. He tossed me in the bushes, I rolled and he walked off, didn’t say anything.”
The teen then rushed to the gym, where he immediately informed his coach of the incident. Despite sustaining scratches and bruises all over his body, Manyari credited his ability to remain calm during the ordeal to his background in boxing.
Arrest and charges: On Wednesday, Sanchez was located in Oxnard and arrested. He was booked at Malibu/Lost Hills Sheriff’s Station for assault with force likely to produce great bodily injury.
Investigation: Both of Sanchez’s victims are of Asian descent. However, his motive for the attacks is currently under investigation. It is unclear if he has entered a plea or has been assigned a lawyer. Anyone with information regarding both incidents is asked to contact Detective Parks of the sheriff’s Malibu/Lost Hills station at (818) 878-1808.
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