Two men were hospitalized Friday, one in critical condition, after they suffered head injuries in Anaheim in separate attacks that authorities said were committed by a transient.
Police received a call at about 10:45 a.m. Thursday about a man being assaulted in the parking lot of King Pollo at 530 N. State College Blvd., according to Anaheim police Sgt. Daron Wyatt. Moments later, police received calls of another assault occurring outside El Pollo Loco at 1098 N. State College Blvd., he said.
Witnesses began following the suspect, identified as Jacob Anthony Smith, 28, and alerted officers to his location. He was found in the 1400 block of North Burton St. after he ran across the Riverside (91) Freeway, Wyatt said.
The first victim was taken to the hospital in stable condition with head trauma and the second victim, who also suffered severe head trauma, was taken to the hospital with potentially life-threatening injuries. He remains in critical condition, Wyatt said.
A motive for the attacks was not disclosed.
Police are asking any witnesses to the attacks who have not yet been interviewed to contact Crime Stoppers at 855 TIP-OCCS.