FRESNO, Calif. (KMJ/KFSN) — A man suspected of assaulting an unhoused man as he slept outside of a Fresno Tower District business last month has been arrested.
Detectives identified and arrested 25-year-old Roberto Felipe Olivera with the help of family on Wednesday.
Detectives interviewed Olivera and then booked him into the Fresno County Jail for felony assault.
The attack on the sleeping 47-year-old man happened in front of a business at 936 East Olive Avenue by Maroa Avenue around 2 a.m. on Monday, August 26, 2024.
Surveillance footage showed a man, now identified as Olivera, violently kicking the victim.
The 9-1-1 caller advised dispatch that an unhoused male who was sleeping in front the business had just been physically assaulted.
A witness who reported the assault said Olivera then ran off down Olive Avenue.
Fresno Police officers arrived at the scene, and found the victim conscious but with serious injuries, bleeding from the head with significant swelling.
The man was taken to Community Regional Medical Center for treatment but has since been released.
Fresno City Council Vice President Mike Karbassi put up $1,000 of his city budget to add to Valley Crime Stopper’s $1,000 reward.
Investigators say the release of the surveillance footage assisted in identifying Olivera as the suspect.
Listen to the report by KMJ’s Liz Kern.
