Deputies search for hammer-wielding attacker who sent two people to the hospital in East L.A.

Authorities are looking for a hammer-wielding man in a straw hat who has sent two people to the hospital in serious condition after attacking them in East Los Angeles last week.

Los Angeles County sheriff’s officials say that on March 25, the assailant,  without provocation, walked up to an elderly man in the 1400 block of South Bonnie Beach Place and struck him with the hammer. The man then kicked the victim and ran off, officials say.

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A few hours later and a couple blocks away the man struck again, this time attacking a woman standing in front of her home in the 4400 block of Triggs Street, officials said.

He hit her “several times in the head” until she lost consciousness before fleeing, officials said. The attacker is described as a 40-to-45-year-old man between 5 feet 10 inches and 6 feet tall with a straw hat, dark jacket, dark pants and heavy build.

Both of his victims remain in serious condition a week after the attacks. Anyone with information is asked to call the sheriff’s department at (323) 264-4151.

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