El Monte police on Wednesday evening released surveillance video of a violent assault in the hope that the public could help them catch those who attacked the man and left him with life-threatening injuries.
Shortly after midnight on April 6, a man was riding his bicycle westbound on Elliott Avenue from Tyler Avenue when a vehicle also headed westbound passed him, according to the El Monte Police Department.
A passenger in the car yelled something at the victim as they drove past, an El Monte police news release stated. Then the vehicle made a U-turn and followed the cyclist.
The car pulled alongside the man and at least three people got out and confronted the victim. He attempted to run away from them but was caught on the southwest corner of Elliott and Continental avenues.
According to police, the group ganged up on the man and punched, kicked and stabbed him with an unknown weapon multiple times.
The vehicle arrived at the scene, picked up the attackers and fled southbound on Continental, the release stated.
The victim, a 36-year-old from South El Monte, sustained life-threatening injuries and was transported by ambulance. His condition has not be released.
Five men were being sought in connection with the attempted murder, police stated in the release.
The driver was described by police as Hispanic, about 30 to 35 years old, standing 5-foot-9, with a heavy build, dark hair, and a mustache, the release said.
The second wanted man was described as Hispanic, between the ages of 20 and 25, and was last seen in a dark-colored T-shirt with white print on the back, according to the release.
Police described the third man as Hispanic, 20 to 25 years old, and wearing a dark-colored hooded sweatshirt and dark pants.
The fourth man was described by authorities as Hispanic, between 20 and 25 years old, and had on a medium-colored hooded sweatshirt and light-colored shorts.
The fifth man police were seeking was described as Hispanic, also around 20 to 25 years old, wearing a light-colored hooded sweatshirt and light-colored shorts, the release stated.
Police have also asked for the public’s help in locating the car, a 2013-2014, four-door Honda Civic that was possibly gray or black.
A motive for the attack was not immediately known. The victim had no gang affiliation, according to police.
Anyone with information about the case was asked to call the El Monte Police Department at 626-580-2109.