OCEANSIDE, Calif. — Police have released photos of a suspect in one of three attacks on homeless men in the North County. Two people were beaten to death, a third man survived a stabbing. It's still not known if the three recent attacks are related.
Oceanside police released surveillance photos of a suspect in the murder earlier this month of a 65-year-old homeless man. His body was found October 5 near the railroad tracks at the Oceanside Blvd crossing, though he may have been beaten to death the day before on October 4.
The suspect is African American, 5'7" to 6' tall, 175 lbs., with black hair, brown eyes, and wearing a distinctive gray trucker hat with a white mermaid logo. He was last seen on October 4 at the Oceanside Transit Center boarding an Amtrak train.
The series of three attacks on the homeless started September 18 with the attempted murder of a 45-year-old man on N. Pacific Drive. Police said he was stabbed several times.
The next attack was the 65-year-old found near the railroad tracks at Oceanside Blvd.
Then, on October 6, a 60-year-old man was found beaten to death in the area of the San Luis Rey Riverbed west of the I-5 Freeway at State Route 76, near the San Luis Rey bicycle path.
Neither law enforcement nor the San Diego County Medical Examiner have named the victims.
Two weeks ago, Oceanside Police Chief Kedrick Sadler issued a warning to people living on the streets. “Avoid sleeping alone. When trying to find a place to rest, try to sleep with each other. Sleeping alone can increase vulnerability, so seek companionship whenever possible,” Sadler said during the October 8 news conference.
Sadler said Oceanside Police have stepped up patrols. Homeless outreach teams are contacting people trying to get them into shelters.
The suspect has not been identified. If you see him, police said do not approach him, as he could be dangerous. Instead, call 911 immediately. If you have any information about the case, contact Detective Sergeant David Estrada at (760) 435-4698 or email DEstrada@oceansideca.org.