A relative of the victim tells ABC7 he is in very bad shape and still in the hospital.
Dozens of teenagers saw it happen in broad daylight, but no one hascome forward to identify the mob of young people who beat up a Vallejocity worker. Police have released surveillance video to generate tips.
The attack happened in front of two cameras on Feb. 1 at approximately 3:19 p.m.
Surveillance video from Britton’s Mini Mart near Vallejo High Schoolshows the 46-year-old city of Vallejo worker in a back hoe being hitwith rocks by some kids. He then drives back to the location atNebraska and Broadway streets to confront the kids who begin attackingthe man. The city worker gets knocked down and eventually a crowd of upto 40 people begin beating the man while he is on the ground.
The victim, a 20-year city employee, was transported to KaiserPermanente Medical Center Vallejo where he is being treated for hisinjuries. Police say the mob fractured his skull, broke his jaw andcollarbone, and knocked several teeth out of his mouth.
On top ofit all, they went through his pockets and stole his wallet, all whilepeople cheered in front of another camera from a bystander who shotvideo. Police have already identified several suspects in the video,but they are also offering $1,000 for the arrest and conviction of anyother suspects who took part in this mob beating.
‘I saw some punches thrown, but that’s about it,” said a witness who believes there were close to 40 people in the area.
“That’s the way it is out here every morning,” Vallejo residentLeonardo Morazan said. “I even went and talked to the principals beforelast year. About a year or two years ago they jumped my son. They stoleeverything from him. I had to go inside and say, ‘You know, this needsto stop.”
A fellow city worker is one of many asking questions. He did not want his identity shown for fear of retribution.
“Where is the mayor of Vallejo? Where is his statement, or anybody inthe community? There’s no outrage. They act like this is an everydayoccurrence, that this is OK to happen,” he said.
The outrageis provoked by the video shot at Britton’s Mini Mart where the incidenthappened. Owner Kamal Sandhu says crimes like this are a commonoccurrence.
“There’s always something or the other. They’resmoking, or they’re smoking marijuana all the time… even drinking.I’ve seen kids drinking E&J after school,” Sandhu said. “[Police]can’t do anything. There’s so many of them.”
He shared with ussome of his collection of crimes caught on tape, including a shootinglast week that he says involved four students and one former student atVallejo High.
Some parents say this has got to stop.
“My kid came home from school practically in tears, scared because ofbullets going through the windows of these businesses around here,”parent Michael Rosenthal said. “This is like every other day this typeof stuff is going on.”
“It’s getting worse out here,” parent Charles Guthery said. “The city don’t have any more police.”
But the police have seen budget cuts reduce the force from 150 to about 100 officers. They are looking for help.
“The school nearby, where some of the students may be attending, ishelping us in attempting to identify some of these individuals,”Vallejo Police Lt. Abel Tenorio said.
A relative of the victim tells ABC7 he is in very bad shape and still in the hospital.
Police are hoping the $1,000 reward they are offering will generatetips. A lot of people saw this crime, but so far no one has steppedforward.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Postolaki with the Vallejo Police Department at (800) 488-9383.
UPDATE: Police increased the reward Thursday to $3,000.