Anaheim Man Beaten by Two Assailants After Crossing Picket Line at Warehouse

An Anaheim man who crossed picket lines to work because he was out of a job was attacked by two men outside a Buena Park shopping mall because they wanted to “teach the scab a lesson,” Buena Park police said Thursday.

Anthony V. Carideo, 23, an unemployed electrician, told police that two men followed him when he left work at 5 p.m. Wednesday at a Lucky warehouse in Buena Park, Officer Terry Branum said.

When the men approached him, one said: “You scab . . . we’re going to teach you a lesson,” Carideo said.

Others Witnessed Attack

Police said both men, who wore ski masks, beat Carideo with their fists, feet and a large, three-inch metal belt buckle. Police said others witnessed the incident.

Carideo was released from Humana Hospital West Anaheim after treatment for cuts, bruises and a severely bruised left eye.

“I remember the belt buckle because when I got hit for the last time, I passed out and I fell on it,” Carideo said Thursday.

Carideo said he was driving to the mall to pick up film when he noticed he was being followed, and he began making wide turns. He parked in the mall lot.

“It became a little obvious when they pulled up behind me and put ski masks on,” he said.

Carideo said he lost his electrician’s job and had been out of work for three days when a neighbor told him Lucky had warehouse jobs available because of the meat cutter’s strike.

“I was only working there for two days, then this happens,” he said.

During the attack he pulled off one of the masks but then lost consciousness and consequently didn’t get a good look at the man’s face. He was unconscious when they left.

“It’s kind of funny, but funny in the sense that there are people that sick enough to do that,” he said.

Won’t Return to Job

Carideo said he has no interest in returning to the warehouse, he said. “Maybe I will after the strike. But for now, I prefer to do something else.”

The two assailants were described as white and in their late 20s. They were about 5 feet, 10 inches tall with medium builds. Carideo said one wore large boots. Their car was described only as a small Chevette.

David Willauer, spokesman for the Food Employers Council, said: “We’re considering posting a reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of whoever is responsible for any violence related to the strike.”

Union representatives did not return phone calls.