Teens suspected of antagonizing and physically assaulting disabled man

According to the Lemoore Police Department, officers were called to the Taco Bell parking lot at about 8 p.m. on Thursday after receiving a call that three boys had antagonized and physically assaulted a 51-year-old disabled man before leaving the Taco Bell area.

Officers, after speaking with the victim and witnesses, were told that three young men were making fun of the man due to his disability. One of the boys allegedly hit the man a few times, knocked him to the ground, and allegedly stealing $40 from him.

Witnesses said the man chased the youths away. Police said he suffered a few scrapes on his elbow when he was knocked down. He also said one of the teens sole the $40 from him.

About an hour after the incident and armed with a description of the attackers from the victim and other witnesses, officers found the suspects in the nearby Save Mart parking lot and brought them in for questioning.

The teens were identified as 19-year-old Sean Souza and a 15-year-old juvenile. Police said the victim claimed that he knew one of the teens prior to the attack, but no further information was provided as to the history of the relationship.

Sousa was arrested and booked into the Kings County Jail on charges of conspiracy to commit a crime, robbery and having a misdemeanor bench warrant. The juvenile was booked into the Kings County Juvenile Center.

During questioning, one of the two suspects in custody claimed that the other teen had stolen from the man and attacked him. They said that they were just in the area. The suspect provided the name and description of the teen who allegedly had attacked the disabled man.

Witnesses verified that this other teen had struck the man and picked him out of a photo lineup.

Police visited the 13-year-old’s residence, and after talking with officers, they said the 13-year-old teen admitted to pushing the victim but said it was because the man got mad at him, antagonized him and waved his belt around. But he denied stealing any money from the victim.

“We’ve had problems with the same victim,” said Lemoore Commander Steve Rossi. “He’s understandably getting real tired of it. He’s simply trying to defend himself.”

The teen was also booked into the county juvenile center.