2 teens arrested for unprovoked assault, theft at San Bernardino apartment hot tub
Two 13-year-old boys were arrested in connection with an allegedly unprovoked assault and theft at a San Bernardino apartment complex hot tub last week, according to police.
In a social media post, San Bernardino Police Department officials said that the incident happened in early August at the Creekside Village Apartments, located at 495 E. Third Street.
"Last week, a victim was sitting alone ... when two juveniles approached him from behind," the post said. "One suspect kicked the victim in the head while the other stole his cell phone before both fled the area."
Police said that after they obtained surveillance footage of the incident, they were able to identify both of the suspects.
They were both arrested early Friday after their parents turned them in. Each was booked for felony robbery, while the boy who allegedly kicked the man was also booked for felony battery.
The victim of the incident spoke with CBS LA days afterwards.
"It's been a rough week and a half," said Greg Medina. "I'm sad that these kids made this choice."
Medina says that he didn't see the attack coming as he was sitting with his back to the suspects. He says that the entire ordeal came about for social media clicks.
"It was for TikTok. They were filming a TikTok," he said. "They thought it would be funny, so they decided to kick me."
Since then, Medina has been unable to work due to a concussion.
Despite this, Medina said his story isn't one of anger, but forgiveness. He said that he received a Facebook message from the father of one of the two boys, and asked if he could meet them when they went to turn themselves in at the police station.
"They said, 'We're sorry, Mr. Greg. We're sorry that we did this to you, we understand now it wasn't funny,'" Medina said. "Shook their hand, gave them a big hug and told them thank you for doing the right thing."
Medina said that he has great respect for the parents of the boys as he can't imagine how difficult it must have been to turn them in.
"I told them there's a human behind the action. There's someone who's missing work," he said. "There's somebody whose daughter is missing out, you know? It's taking food off my table."
Friends have established a GoFundMe to help Medina cover his bills and expenses. It can be found by searching for the keywords: "Help Greg Recover After a Violent Attack."
