LOCAL : Anaheim Attack Suspects Held
In an early-morning raid today, Anaheim police arrested at least five suspected gang members whom they believe nearly beat to death a man trying to retrieve a bicycle that was stolen from his 12-year-old son.
Police, armed with search warrants, converged on seven houses looking for suspects in the Sept. 24 attack on Jose I. Perez, 38, of Anaheim. During the raid, police seized baseball bats and clubs believed to have been used in the assault.
Also confiscated were loaded firearms, apparently blood-stained clothing and a bicycle that matches the description of the one stolen from Perez’s son, Jorge, police said.
Names, ages of and charges against those arrested were not immediately available.
On the day of the attack, Perez went to recover his son’s bike that was stolen at the George Washington Community Center in Anaheim. Upon getting out of his car, Perez was confronted by 10 to 12 gang members, police said.
The gang members chased Perez for a couple of blocks before catching him and beating him with baseball bats, clubs and possibly metal pipes, police said.
Perez remains in a local hospital in good condition recovering from multiple injuries.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
