Three teens held in assault case

A case of assault a month ago has resulted in the arrest of three Porterville teenagers, the Porterville Police Department reports.

Police said the assault, which left a man unconscious and in serious condition, occurred just before 3 p.m. on Feb. 8 in the 200 block of W. Date Ave.

When officers arrived on the scene that day, they located a 49-year-old man lying on the ground and unresponsive. The victim had sustained head injuries and was transported to a local trauma center for treatment.   

Detectives contacted witnesses who reported the victim had been assaulted by three unknown male suspects, described as teenagers, who fled the area on foot prior to police arriving on scene. An area search for the suspects was conducted, but they were not located.  

The victim was admitted into the hospital for head trauma and his condition remained critical but stable for approximately three weeks. Detectives continued with the investigation in efforts to identify the suspects. 

On Tuesday of this week, detectives located a witness who was able to identify one of the suspects. Through further investigation, detectives were able to identify the two remaining outstanding suspects. Detectives contacted and arrested a 16-year-old male juvenile and the two additional 17-year-old male suspects who were positively identified as being involved in the assault.

All three were booked into the Tulare County Juvenile Detention Facility regarding charges of assault with a deadly weapon, conspiracy, and participation in a criminal street gang.