Suspect on felony parole breaks elderly mans leg during a violent attack in Victorville

VICTORVILLE, Calif. (VVNG.com) — A 52-year-old transient on felony parole was arrested today after he assaulted and critically injured an elderly man in Victorville.

At about 7:09 am, on March 28, 2019, deputies from the Victorville Police Department responded to an assault which occurred in a parking lot in the 14600 block of Valley Center Drive.

The victim, a 79-year old male, was walking through the parking lot on his way to a nearby bus stop.

The suspect, later identified as Richard Rant Leonard, walked up behind the elderly man and then punched him in the face.

The blow caused the elderly man to fall to the ground and drop his belongings.

“The suspect attempted to take an envelope containing the victim’s money. A security guard in the parking lot witnessed the incident and was able to reach the suspect before he could flee. He detained the suspect until deputies arrived,” stated a sheriff’s news release.

Police said the victim suffered a broken leg and other minor injuries in the attack. He was transported to a local hospital for treatment.

The suspect was arrested and booked at High Desert Detention Center for robbery, battery with serious injury, harming an elderly or dependent adult, and violation of felony parole. He is scheduled to appear in Victorville Superior Court on April 2, 2019.

Anyone with information about this investigation is asked to contact Deputy T. Chamberlain or Deputy B. Moreland at the Victorville Police Department at (760) 241-2911 or Sheriff’s Dispatch at (760) 956-5001. Callers wishing to remain anonymous are urged to call the We-Tip Hotline at 1-800-78CRIME (27463) or you may leave information on the We-Tip website at www.wetip.com.