A teenager arrested in a string of crimes was also linked to a violent Loma Linda residential robbery and assault last month that left the 82-year-old homeowner hospitalized, sheriff's deputies said Friday.
The 17-year-old from Highland, whose name was not released because he is a minor, and two other minors were taken into custody Wednesday in connection with a burglary, evading and traffic collision case, according to the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department.
During the investigation, detectives say they learned that one of the teens was suspected of robbing and beating a homeowner on the night of March 21. That evening, sheriff's deputies say a robber entered the home in the 25000 block of Lane Street through a window and struck the homeowner in the back of the head and neck several times during a struggle.
The robber took off with several of the victim's belongings, including electronics, and fled.
The homeowner ended up at the hospital, where staff contacted authorities to report that the man was a victim of a crime.
The man suffered cuts to his head and received a tracheotomy that enabled him to breathe. Sheriff's deputies say the victim is unable to communicate.
