Man beaten, stabbed after confronting taggers in Anaheim

ANAHEIM, Calif. -- A man was beaten and stabbed Sunday night after confronting a group of taggers at a strip mall in Anaheim, police said. The incident is the second violent tagging altercation in Anaheim in just a week.

Police say a man in his 40s, identified by his friends as "Blue," was sorting through recycling in his truck near Lincoln Avenue and Stinson Street when he tried to stop the taggers.

"I saw a car take off and I saw someone laying on the ground and my friend Sandra yelling to call 911," witness Maria Sauceda said.

The victim, whose identity was not released, was in critical but stable condition Monday morning. Authorities are now asking for the public's help in locating his attackers.

"Four male Hispanics, one male white, all of them in their early to mid-20s, and a fairly decent suspect vehicle description of a blue, 4-door Nissan Versa," Sgt. Daron Wyatt said.

Blue's friends say he's well known because he's always trying to help others.

Sauceda says he "delivers food for churches and drops them off at all the other motels and the homeless people."

The attack comes a week after taggers shot and killed 51-year-old Dave Douglas in an unincorporated area of Anaheim after he confronted them. While officers don't believe the two crimes are connected, they urge people to call police first.

"The police department is just one 911 call away, and while we can't get our job done without help from the community, it's always best for them to call us," Wyatt said.