Security officers pepper spray-detain man punching two senior citizens
Oxnard CA April 16 2019 A man with a violent history was arrested after allegedly punching two seniors in separate incidents Saturday in Oxnard, authorities said.
The first reported assault took place around 11:45 a.m. near Sixth and B streets, the Oxnard Police Department reported.
A 71-year-old woman was trying to get into her vehicle when a man “punched her in the head” and pushed her to the ground, police reported. While she was down, he allegedly kicked her in the back multiple times before walking away, authorities said.
Not long after that, the man allegedly approached an 80-year-old man who was walking with his wife near Sixth and A streets, authorities said. The attacker allegedly punched the man in the face and walked away, police reported. As the victim walked toward his vehicle, the attacker “came back and punched the elderly male again,” the department reported.
Neither victim knew the attacker.
Authorities said an off-duty private security guard intervened, pepper-spraying and detaining the attacker until police officers arrived. Downtown security officers also helped detain the man, police said.
The victims suffered minor injuries and were treated at the scene, authorities said. Both refused transportation to a hospital.
Police said they arrested a suspect identified as Adam Barcenas, 56. He “has an extensive history of violence, disorderly conduct and robbery and is currently on parole,” according to the police account.
Barcenas was arrested on suspicion of felony elder abuse and misdemeanor battery offenses. As of Sunday afternoon, he remained in Ventura County jail and was not eligible for bail due to a felony parole hold, jail records show.
