Fire Extinguisher Attack: Man Arrested In RivCo Beating, Cops Say

HEMET, CA — A 19-year-old man suspected of bashing an acquaintance in the head with a fire extinguisher, inflicting life-threatening injuries, was being held Tuesday in lieu of $1 million bail.

Joseph Thomas Anzelmo of Hemet was arrested Monday on suspicion of attempted murder and robbery. He's being held at the Smith Correctional Facility in Banning.

According to Hemet police Lt. Jeff Davis, Anzelmo and the victim, a 30- year-old Hemet man whose name was withheld, had an unspecified confrontation in the 100 block of Stetson Avenue, near State Street, in which the suspect allegedly used the fire extinguisher as a weapon.

Davis alleged that Anzelmo struck the man in the head, then fled with the victim's belongings.

A witness trailed Anzelmo and contacted 911, pointing patrol officers to where they needed to find him, according to Davis, who said the suspect was taken into custody without a struggle.

The victim remains in critical condition at a regional trauma center, the lieutenant said.

Anzelmo has no documented prior felony convictions.

— By City News Service