A 21-year-old suspect was facing possible assault with a deadly weapon and elder abuse charges Thursday for allegedly assaulting and threatening a 93-year-old man at knifepoint at a park in Whittier.
The nonagenarian saw the suspect and another man arguing Wednesday at Mayberry Park, in the 13200 block of Meyer Road, “and attempted to defuse the conflict,” according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Parks Bureau.
“The suspect became aggressive and repeatedly pushed the victim, causing him to fall to the ground,” according to a sheriff’s statement. “The suspect stood over the victim while holding a knife, threatening to harm him if he did not stop interfering. The suspect fled the scene, promising to return with friends.”
Parks Bureau deputies caught up with the suspect, later identified as Mario Luiz Sanchez of Whittier, soon after and arrested him on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon, elder abuse and making criminal threats, according to the sheriff’s department.
The victim, whose name was not released, was treated at a local hospital and released the same day, sheriff’s officials said.
Sanchez was being held in lieu of $75,000 bail and was scheduled to appear in court in Downey on Friday, according to sheriff’s inmate records.