Man, 25, arrested after randomly punching elderly men, stopping to pose for informal photo taken by victim

US News

By Stephen Sorace, Fox News

A California man who randomly punched two elderly victims in separate incidents and posed for an informal photo after one of the attacks was arrested Saturday, authorities said.

Nicholas Hostetler, 25, was identified in connection with two attacks on elderly men in Campbell this month, the Campbell Police Department said.

In the first incident, on May 4, Hostetler allegedly punched a victim on San Tomas Aquino Road before fleeing, police said.

The suspect, however, stopped to pose casually on a sidewalk while the victim took a photo in hopes of identifying her alleged attacker.

Police posted the photo on social media and asked for the public's help in identifying the suspect.

The second random attack happened Friday morning when a 75-year-old man was walking in Campbell, police said.

Hostetler allegedly punched the victim in the face near Inwood Drive and Elam Avenue.

When the 75-year-old man and his family returned to the area a short time later to look for surveillance cameras, they encountered Hostetler again, police said.

Hostetler attempted to fight the family before leaving the scene, police said.

Officers immediately began searching the area and quickly identified Hostetler as the suspect.

Police contacted Hostetler's parents Saturday morning, and with their assistance, Hostetler left his home and was arrested without incident.

While Hostetler was in Santa Clara County Jail on two counts of elder abuse, he allegedly kicked a police officer, authorities said.

Hostetler was also charged with battery on an officer.

“We cannot thank our community enough for their partnership in incidents like these,” the department said. “We can assure you that our officers are working diligently to thoroughly investigate these incidents.”