Buena Park : Man Sought in Fatal Attack on Seller of Car

Police on Tuesday asked the public for help in finding a man who apparently posed as a Porsche buyer last year, struck a 70-year-old man with a cane and stole the car. The victim died several weeks later of a blood clot in the brain caused by the blows to his head with his own walking stick.

Clyde Clodfelter was assaulted at his home on April 5, 1985, Officer Terry Branum said. Clodfelter’s wife, Kathleen, also 70, was knocked unconscious but survived the attack.

Clodfelter was trying to sell a white 1976 Porsche for his son. The assailant answered a for-sale ad for the car, Branum said.

Investigators believe that a “baby-faced” man named Jim may have information about the assailant, Branum said. Jim, whose last name is not known, is described as in his 20s, 5 feet, 10 inches tall and weighing 160 pounds. He has collar-length blond hair with a red tint and may have a slight mustache, Branum said.

Branum said police believe that Jim has frequented a transient motel in Anaheim.

Those with information can call police Detective Dave Skaugstad or Sgt. Charlie Russell at (714) 521-9352.