Oceanside police are looking for a man suspected of choking a young boy in an incident that happened late last month.
Police said: "On June 22, at approximately 7:30 pm, an 8-year-old boy (victim) was playing by himself directly behind his residence between the 4000 block of Olive Drive and the Sprinter Tracks. The victim was approached by a light-skinned Hispanic male who appeared to be approximately 20 years old. The suspect talked with the victim for several minutes and without warning or provocation grabbed him around the neck. The suspect held the victim with such force that the victim could not breathe or yell. The suspect fled the area after the assault. The victim immediately contacted his parents; the Oceanside Police Department responded to investigate."
According to police, the incident appears to be isolated, but the motive remains unknown.
The suspected attacker was described as about 5 feet 7 inches tall with a heavy build and short hair. Based on information from the boy, police believe the man is a possible transient who lived in a nearby field.
