AZUSA >> A suspect was behind bars Thursday and deputies sought several more after an Azusa teen was beaten with a baseball bat and robbed of his bicycle Wednesday afternoon, officials said.
Juan Reyes , 25, of Azusa was arrested on suspicion of robbery about an hour after the crime, according to Los Angeles County booking records. A second 25-year-old Azusa man was arrested along with Reyes, but released from custody Thursday morning pending further investigation.
The violent robbery took place shortly before 6:10 p.m. as the victim, a 15-year-old boy, was riding his bike near Valleydale Park, in an unincorporated county area just south of Azusa, Los Angeles County sheriff’s Lt. David Vega said Vega said.
The teen reported he was “jumped” by a group of attackers, described as men in their 20s, the lieutenant said. One of the attackers wielded a baseball bat, with which he struck the teen in the head and hand.
The group fled with the teen’s bike, Vega said. At least some of them were seen fleeing in a car.
A witness was able to give deputies the license plate number of the car, officials said. Deputies went to the Azusa home where the car was registered, where they found and arrested Reyes.
A family member took the injured teen to a hospital, where he was treated for injuries including cuts to his head, Vega said. The injuries were not considered to be life-threatening.
Reyes was being held in lieu of $100,000 bail, according to county booking records. He was scheduled for arraignment Friday in Pomona Superior Court.