The SAPD is looking for an 18-year-old who beat up a grandfather with a baseball bat

Samuel Elijah Alvarez, an 18-year-old man, is wanted in connection with the severe beating of a 72-year-old great-grandfather with an aluminum baseball bat in Santa Ana last week, according to the O.C. Register.

The victim, Jose Chacon, a Santa Ana resident, was at the 76 gas station at the 4500 block of Westminster Avenue, when he left the gas station’s mini-mart, tripped, and fell on top of Alvarez’s car. Alvarez then got out of his car and began to argue with Chacon.

Alvarez then flipped out, got an aluminum bat out of his car and he attacked Chacon, who tried to retrieve an object that appeared to be a pipe, from his own truck. The SAPD stated that Chacon had a right to defend himself.

A fight ensued and it was captured on the gas station’s video surveillance, which showed Alvarez striking Chacon a number of times, causing facial fractures and other injuries. The final blow hit the victim in the face and he fell to the ground. Alvarez then took off.

The victim ended up at the UCI Medical Center where he received multiple stitches to his face, which was so bruised and purple that he was no longer recognizable.

The victim’s daughter, Vanessa Chacon-Johnson, a 33-year-old Anaheim resident, stated that her father’s face was swollen double its normal size. Some of his teeth were also broken which has affected his ability to speak.  He will undergo additional surgery on Thursday. The doctors are not certain yet as to the extent of the victim’s injuries.

Chacon-Johnson, told the O.C. Register that her father was a food truck operator until he retired about six years ago. He lives at home with his wife, two grandchildren and a great grand-child. The object he used to try to protect himself from Alvarez may have been metal that he collects and recycles.

Chacon-Johnson said that her dad often went to the gas station where he was attacked to buy and redeem Scratcher lottery tickets. He is apparently well known by the gas station’s employees and customers.

As for the attacker, Alvarez, it turns out that he is wanted for a previous probation violation. He has a warrant out for his arrest due to three September 2015 charges of driving at unsafe speeds, driving without a valid license and not displaying evidence of financial responsibility after an accident.

SAPD detectives went to Alvarez’s last known address but apparently his family is no longer there. The police believe that Alvarez spends time in the 3900 block of West 5th Street.

Alvarez has been seen several times in the neighborhood so the police believe he is still in the area – and he knows he is wanted.  There is concern now that Alvarez has escalated to violent acts.

Alvarez’s attack on Chacon is being investigated as an attempted homicide. He is considered by the police to be armed and dangerous.

Alvarez is described as a thin Hispanic man with black hair and brown eyes. He is 5 feet, 8 inches tall and 155 pounds. He was last seen wearing a gray shirt and black shorts.

Contact the Santa Ana Police Department at 714-245-8506 if you have any information about Alvarez’s whereabouts.

This incident happened in Santa Ana’s Ward 3, which is represented by Council Member Angie Amezcua.