Suspect arrested for unprovoked attack on elderly man in Hollywood

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HOLLYWOOD, CA (FOX 11) - West Hollywood Sheriff’s deputies believe they arrested a man captured on security video violently attacking a senior citizen in Hollywood.

The Los Angeles Police Department is now coordinating with sheriff’s detectives to determine if its the same suspect they've been looking for.

In October, the suspect was seen on store security video swinging his backpack like a baseball bat and striking an elderly man in the head while he was walking on the sidewalk.

The senior, who is believed to be in his 80s, fell to the ground while the suspect casually walked away.

LAPD released video of the attack on LaBrea north of Melrose hoping someone would recognize the suspect.

After seeing the security video Wednesday night, a freelance news camerman came forward with a video he took a few hours after the October attack on the elderly man.

It shows West Hollywood Sheriff’s Deputies arresting a suspect who appears very similar to the same guy who knocked out the senior citizen.

LAPD is now reviewing the stringer’s video to determine if it’s the same suspect and address why there was no initial coordination between the agencies.

If it turns out the man has already been in custody for several weeks, that would be welcome news to residents.

Police said the suspect severely injured the man who spent several weeks in the hospital before being recently released.

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