Search for suspects involved in homeless attacks at Ventura beach

VENTURA, Calif. (KABC) -- Ventura police are searching for five teens who reportedly attacked a 46-year-old homeless man in a parking structure near the beach, as well as three men who set a homeless man on fire in the same area.

Russell Lamb said the brutal attack of his friend, John Wood, has left him and other homeless people shocked and concerned.

"What happened to him last night was totally wrong. Whoever did that to him was evil people, you know, totally evil," Lamb said.

At least five teens beat Wood with a bat and stabbed him near the top of the Harbor Boulevard parking structure at Ventura Beach around 8 p.m. Sunday. Just two weeks ago, police said three people set a homeless man on fire as he slept in his sleeping bag on the beach.

Police are on the hunt for suspects in both attacks, but they do not believe the incidents are connected.

"The description in this incident is completely different than the description we got in the first incident. I think last night was random," Cmdr. Darin Schindler said.

Steven Place said he is so scared he cannot sleep at night. Regular tourists of the beach said they were concerned by the attack and may consider looking for another area to frequent.

Police said Wood has undergone surgery and is expected to survive.

Detectives are asking anyone with information on suspects from either attack to contact them at (805) 339-4309.