SOUTH WHITTIER >> A 21-year-old Whittier man is accused of attacking a 93-year-old man and threatening him with a knife after the elderly victim tried to intervene in an argument between the suspect and another man, officials said.
Deputies jailed Mario Luiz Sanchez on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon, elder abuse and criminal threats about 2:30 p.m., shortly after the confrontation at Amelia Mayberry Park, 13201 Meyer Road in the unincorporated county area of South Whittier, according to Los Angeles County sheriff’s officials and booking records.
The nonagenarian was at the park when he noticed to men arguing and tried to defuse the situation, sheriff’s officials said in a written statement.
“(Sanchez) became aggressive and repeatedly pushed the victim, causing him to fall to the ground,” according to the statement. “The suspect stood over the victim while holding a knife, threatening to harm him if he did not stop interfering. The suspect fled the scene, promising to return with friends.”
Deputies from the sheriff’s Parks Bureau quickly found and arrested the suspect, officials said.
The elderly victim was treated for injuries at a hospital and had since been released, authorities said Thursday.
According to county booking records, Sanchez was being held in lieu of $75,000 bail his initial court appearance, scheduled Friday in the Downey branch of Los Angeles County Superior Court.