Crowbar used in alleged Cambria assault

Police search for assault suspect

As of midday Tuesday, Dec. 22, law-enforcement officials still were searching for a man accused of felony assault with a deadly weapon, after he allegedly struck a 16-year-old with a crowbar about 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 16.

Deputies, a sheriff’s canine unit and State Park rangers assisted in the initial search for the suspect, identified as 25-year-old Alberto Hernandez Garcia of Cambria, but were unable to locate him.

According to Tony Cipolla, spokesman for the Sheriff’s Office, “a man, his girlfriend and her 16-year-old brother went to visit the man’s aunt” in the 2200 block of Sandown Place. “They were confronted by the aunt’s boyfriend, who had what was described as a metal crowbar in his hand. He allegedly took a swing at the victim, striking him on his right arm. The girlfriend’s brother tried to help take the crowbar away, but the suspect began to run away with the 16-year-old in pursuit.

“At one point,” Cipolla said, “the suspect suddenly stopped and swung the crowbar rearward, striking the 16-year-old in the head.”

The injured teen was taken to French Hospital. His name and details about his condition aren’t being released because of his age.

Cmdr. Jim Taylor said Tuesday, Dec. 22, that investigators still officials had not found the suspect.

Anyone with information about the case or the suspect’s location is encouraged to call the Sheriff’s Office at 781-4550, or Crime Stoppers’ 24-hour hotline at 549-STOP (7867).

Kathe Tanner

Highway 1 project to begin Jan. 4

The new year will bring a new project along Highway 1: The state will begin to install rumble strips over a 42-mile stretch of road from Highland Drive in San Luis Obispo to Hearst Castle Road in San Simeon.

Work will start Jan. 4, weather permitting. The goal of rumble strips, also known as “sleeper lines” is to create vibration when vehicles pass over them, alerting drivers to potential danger. They’re often placed along road shoulders to alert drivers when they’re drifting off the road.

The project will create intermittent overnight lane and ramp closures along the highway from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday nights through Friday mornings. One-way reversing traffic control will be in effect within the two-lane section of Highway 1 from north of Ocean Boulevard to north of Hearst Castle Road; drivers can expect delays of up to 15 minutes.

Electronic messaging boards will be activated to alert the public. Traffic updates are available by calling 549-3318 or online at www.dot.ca.gov/dist05/road_information.htm.

Souza Construction of San Luis Obispo is the contractor for the $1.6 million project.

Stephen H. Provost

This story was originally published December 23, 2015 at 8:37 AM with the headline "Crowbar used in alleged Cambria assault."