Instructor attacked at Burbank jiu jitsu studio

A jiu jitsu instructor was reportedly tackled at his Burbank studio on Monday, and police are seeking leads.

At 5:30 p.m., a man — described by police as Hispanic, 5 feet 8, 180 pounds and wearing a dark sweatshirt — entered the Force Balance Brazilian Jiu Jitsu studio expressing interest in taking a class, said Burbank Police Sgt. Darin Ryburn.

The instructor, a 39-year-old man, finished up his class and went to grab some pamphlets in the lobby when the man tackled him from behind, Ryburn said.

The victim grabbed the counter to stop himself from falling down, after which the suspect fled from the studio, located on the 3100 block of Winona Avenue.

According to its website, the studio is owned by Steve Cardenas, one of the stars of the popular 1990s television show, “Mighty Morphin Power Rangers.”

The suspect reportedly hopped on a blue mountain bike and fled southbound on Ontario Street.

Anyone with information about the incident is urged to call Burbank police at (818) 238-3210.
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Follow Alene Tchekmedyian on Google+ and on Twitter: @atchek.

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