Suspect Seen On Video Beating Man With Chair In Venice Arrested

VENICE (CBSLA.com) — A suspect seen on video viciously beating a man with a folding chair on the Venice Beach boardwalk was in custody Friday.

Apolinar Celestino Lopez, 30, was arrested Sunday during a traffic stop for the Dec. 13 beating, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.

The victim was reportedly attacked by two suspects around 4 a.m. in the 1300 block of Ocean Front Walk.

He was transported to a local hospital with severe lacerations and a broken arm.

A nearby resident provided detectives with a video recording of the incident, which showed one of the suspects, later identified as Lopez, continuously hitting the victim with a collapsible beach chair.

Lopez, who was reportedly driving under the influence of alcohol or narcotics, was arrested during the traffic stop after officers learned he had a felony warrant for assault with a deadly weapon.

Anyone with information regarding the incident was asked to contact LAPD Pacific Division detectives at (310)482-6313. Those wishing to remain anonymous should call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or texting LAPD plus the tip to 274637.

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