Janitor attacked by gang members for wearing a blue uniform in Madera, police say

MADERA, Calif. -- Police are asking for the public's help in finding two gang members who allegedly attacked a janitor in Central California because he was wearing a blue uniform.

Police said the man was attacked Saturday night while he was cleaning aisles at a Save Mart store in Madera.

Security cameras at the front entrance captured the two suspects entering the store then leaving in a hurry just before closing time.

Madera Police Sgt. Brian Esteves said the men approached the victim in the aisle. "(They) began saying derogatory things to him, calling him a scrap because he was wearing a blue shirt," Esteves said.

Police said the two suspects, who walked in around 11:30 p.m., targeted the man because of his blue uniform. They said the suspects were initially taunting the victim then started punching him in the middle of the aisle.

"The guy started to defend himself," Esteves said. "At that point, the second subject grabbed a wine bottle off the shelf and hit the janitor over the head."

Officials said the victim suffered injuries to his head but is expected to be OK.

Investigators are confident this was a random act of violence and need help identifying the two gang members involved in the attack. Anyone with information regarding the suspects is asked to contact the Madera Police Department at the Crime Tip Hotline at (559) 675-4242.