A man accused of brutally attacking a 71-year-old San Bernardino County grandmother with a baseball bat has been arrested in Oklahoma after remaining at large for nearly two months.
Erik Eduardo Navarro, 26, of Orange County, was taken into custody by the Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office on unrelated traffic charges.
Once California investigators learned Navarro was jailed, they secured an extradition warrant and traveled to Oklahoma. Detectives brought him back to California on Tuesday.
“Working in coordination with the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office and the Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office, detectives obtained an extradition warrant,” the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department said.
Investigators allege Navarro took advantage of Therese Garcia’s generosity earlier this year after she allowed him to stay at her home in Crestline.
Navarro reportedly told Garcia he needed somewhere to live before a job interview. Believing his story, she welcomed him into her home.
Garcia cooked for him each night and grew to view him as a kind young man struggling to get back on his feet, according to her family.
However, the situation allegedly changed soon after Navarro moved in. Family members said he began “making demands and taking over her home.” When Garcia finally told him to leave on Aug. 25, authorities say he responded with extreme violence.
Navarro allegedly found a metal baseball bat and attacked Garcia as she slept.
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Her family said the assault left her drifting in and out of consciousness and in need of immediate medical attention.
“He just kept beating her until he finally thought she was dead,” Garcia’s daughter, Abbie Garcia, told CBS News.
After the alleged attack, Navarro reportedly fled with Garcia’s credit cards, keys, cellphone and electric bicycle.
The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department said Garcia sustained a forehead laceration, a cut eyebrow, swollen hands and severe swelling around her eyes that left her unable to see clearly.
Family members said she vomited blood for several days following the alleged beating and came close to death. They created a GoFundMe campaign to help cover her medical costs.
Navarro faces charges of battery causing serious injury, elder abuse likely to cause great bodily injury or death, assault with a deadly weapon, robbery and damaging a wireless communication device to prevent someone from seeking help. He is being held at the West Valley Detention Center.
Abbie said her mother did nothing to warrant the violence she allegedly suffered.
“My mom didn’t deserve this,” Abbie said. “She was simply trying to help someone she believed was in need, something she has always done throughout her life. This time, her kindness was met with unimaginable violence.”
Jail records show Navarro’s bail was set at $250,000. He is scheduled to appear in court Friday.
