Man attacks random victims with hammer in East Los Angeles

Sheriff’s investigators Friday were trying to track down a man who used a hammer-like weapon to seriously injure two people in separate unprovoked attacks within a few blocks and hours of one another in East Los Angeles.

Both assaults occurred last Friday, the first in the 1400 block of South Bonnie Beach Place and the second in the 4400 block of Triggs Street, according to Detective Ed Sanchez of the sheriff’s East Los Angeles Station.

In the first attack, the suspect, who appeared to be in his mid-40s, approached a man Sanchez described as “elderly” and without provocation or warning struck him with “a hammer-like weapon.”

“When the victim fell to the ground, the suspect kicked the victim,” Sanchez said.

The suspect fled south from the location and out of view.

A few hours later and less than three block away from the first crime scene, a woman standing in front of a home was similarly attacked by a man wielding a hammer-like weapon, according to Sanchez.

The woman was struck several times “about the head” and knocked unconscious, the detective said.

Both victims were taken to hospitals, where they were admitted in serious condition, Sanchez said.

Sanchez said the same person is suspected of committing both crimes, though the descriptions provided to investigators varied slightly.

In the first assault, the suspect was described as a heavyset Hispanic man, 5 feet 10 inches to 6 feet tall, wearing a straw hat and a blue windbreaker-type jacket.

In the second case, the suspect was described as 6 feet tall, around 240 pounds and wearing a black jacket and black pants.

Anyone with information about the attacks was urged to call the sheriff’s East Los Angeles Station at (323) 264-4151. Anonymous tips can be provided through Crime Stoppers by calling (800) 222-TIPS.

–City News Service