Reseda Man Kidnaped and Shot Twice in the Head

A 48-year-old Reseda man was abducted, robbed, beaten and shot twice in the head early Tuesday, Los Angeles police said.

But Antonio Ariano was still able to walk home and seek help afterward, Detective Robert Johansen said. Ariano was in stable condition at Northridge Hospital Medical Center on Tuesday evening.

As Ariano left his job about 2:30 a.m. at the Don Tomas Tavern at 19243 Saticoy St. near Tampa Avenue, three men jumped out of a pickup truck parked nearby and pulled him into the back with them, Johansen said.

For about 15 minutes, two assailants held Ariano down and beat him while the other drove, Johansen said. After they took all of his money and jewelry, the men threw Ariano out of the truck. They then stopped long enough to shoot him twice at close range and then sped off, Johansen said.

Ariano staggered home, which was a short distance from where he was left, Johansen said. Ariano and his roommates then called authorities.

No arrests have been made and police have no clues except that the assailants spoke Spanish and traveled in a white pickup truck, Johansen said.

“He’s in real good shape for somebody who was shot twice in the head,” Johansen said. “He’s lucky neither shot penetrated his skull.”