Teen loses part of his ear in attack by four adults

Burbank police continue investigating an incident in which four young adults allegedly beat up a 17-year-old with what was described as a “mini baseball bat” on Tuesday night, resulting in lacerations to his face and neck and the loss of part of his ear.

At about 9:20 p.m. on the 100 block of South Virginia near Olive Avenue, the 17-year-old was walking on Virginia when four, 18- to 22-year-old males approached him, police Sgt. Darin Ryburn said.

The first suspect demanded his phone and began “swinging at the victim’s face” when he refused, Ryburn said.

When the juvenile turned away, the second suspect began striking the victim in the head and face with a “mini baseball bat,” Ryburn said, adding that the other two suspects then began punching the victim in the face and body.

“During the assault, one of the suspects yells out that someone was coming by and the four suspects fled the area toward Olive,” Ryburn said.

The victim walked home and told his parents what happened. They took him to Providence Saint Joseph’s Medical Center for treatment, and police were called to the emergency room at about 10:45 p.m.

-- Maria Hsin, Times Community News

Twitter: @mariahsin