Victim of attack with a hammer in coma; suspect arrested

A 70-year-old Santa Paula man remained in critical condition Sunday morning after being attacked by a hammer the day before, authorities said.

An Oxnard transient, Luis Montalvo, 44, has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder in the incident, which happened at about 10:50 a.m. Saturday.

The attack in the 100 block of Wakeford Street appears to have been unprovoked, Senior Officer Matt Alonzo said Sunday morning.

"The suspect did not know the victim," Alonzo said. "It was a very isolated and strange incident."

The victim was unloading the trunk of his car when he was attacked from behind, Alonzo said. A witness pointed out Montalvo, who was still in the area, police said. Officers contacted Montalvo and found the hammer in the front yard of a nearby residence, officials said.

The victim has been put into an induced coma at Ventura County Medical Center in Ventura, after undergoing surgery, Alonzo said.

"He's not in good condition," Alonzo said.

Montalvo has been booked into county jail, where he was being held on $510,000 bail, police said.

Anyone with information about the incident can contact Detective Randy Haumann at 525-4474 ext. 211 or at rhaumann@spcity.org. Callers may remain anonymous, police said.