Sheriff: Retrieved from water, phone IDs man who attacked seniors on Fresno canal bank

A Fresno man faces 10 years to life in prison after deputies say he attacked a senior couple when they stepped in to stop a group from dangling a screaming toddler over a canal bank.

Fresno County Sheriff’s Office pokesman Tony Botti identified the man as 21-year-old Amilcar Alfaro. Charges include elder abuse, robbery, battery and committing a felony while on bail.

The incident occurred as the husband and wife, in their mid-60s, were taking a walk in September along a canal bank at De Witt and East Lane avenues.

The couple reportedly saw a group of five people, and shouted at the man holding the child to stop. The group confronted them, demanding they mind their own business. The woman pulled out her cell phone and began taking pictures of the group and their cars.

That’s when Alfaro reportedly grabbed the woman, took her phone and tossed it in the canal. When her husband stepped in, he was punched in the face by Alfaro before the five sped off. The couple called the sheriff’s office, deputies arrived and noted the spot where the phone was thrown.

In October, members of the sheriff’s dive team recovered the phone and a data recovery specialist retrieved photos of the suspects. Alfaro was identified and arrested Dec. 19.

Botti said the man who was allegedly punched by Alfaro underwent knee surgery due to injuries suffered in the assault.

Anyone with additional information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 559-498-7867.

This story was originally published January 7, 2020 at 12:31 PM.