Man arrested after violently punching elderly man in face in Victorville
VICTORVILLE, Calif. (FOX 11) - A 52-year-old transient has been arrested accused of punching an elderly man in the face and attempting to steal his money in Victorville Thursday morning.
Police say the violent attack happened in the 14600 block of Valley Center Drive shortly after 7 a.m. on March 28. The suspect has been identified by police as Richard Rant Leonard, 52, a transient. A booking photo was not immediately released.
The victim, a 79-year-old man, was walking through the parking lot on his way to the bus stop when Leonard walked up behind him and punched him in the face causing the elderly man to fall to the ground and drop his belongings, Victorville Police Department said.
A security guard in the parking lot witnessed the incident and managed to detain the suspect before he could get away with the victim's money, according to authorities. Deputies arrived and took Leonard into custody.
The elderly victim suffered a broken leg and other minor injuries in the attack. He was taken to a local hospital for medical treatment.
Leonard was booked at High Desert Detention Center for robbery, battery with serious injury, harming an elderly or dependent adult, and violation of felony parole. He's scheduled to appear in court on April 2.
Anyone with information about this investigation is asked to contact Deputy T. Chamberlain or Deputy B. Moreland at the Victorville Police Department at 760-241-2911.