Attacker tried to gouge out eyes of 82-year-old man, police say

A 51-year-old Glendale man was arrested Tuesday on suspicion of attempted murder and is slated to be arraigned in court Thursday after police said he tried to gouge an 82-year-old man’s eyes out for no apparent reason.

Benyamin Yengibaryan was taken into custody about 8 a.m. on Central Avenue and Windsor Road after witnesses heard him threatening to kill the injured man as he violently kicked, punched and tried to poke his eyes out, police said.

“It appeared to be a random act of violence,” Glendale Police Sgt. Tom Lorenz said. “It appears to be unprovoked by the victim whatsoever.”

The injured man, who was bleeding from both eyes, was taken to Glendale Memorial Hospital, where he was treated for a damaged right eye, a swollen lip, a cut left knee and cuts to his right cheek and eye. His name wasn’t released to protect him from retribution, police said.

The victim was walking on Central Avenue when he walked past Yengibaryan, who was standing next to a bus stop, and they smiled at each other, police said.

As the victim turned his head, Yengibaryan allegedly punched him in the face.

The victim told police that he recalled trying to defend himself, but he fell to the ground as the assault continued.

Witnesses told police they saw Yengibaryan pressing his thumbs into the man’s eyes while kicking him.

A passing motorist who was flagged down by a witness pulled Yengibaryan off the man, according to police.

Yengibaryan allegedly made statements to the witnesses about killing the man.

Police detectives on Wednesday were trying to determine Yengibaryan’s motive for the alleged attack.