70-year-old security guard in critical condition after downtown Modesto assault

A 70-year-old security guard is in critical condition after he was assaulted in a downtown Modesto parking garage.

At about 11:30 p.m., a witness saw the security guard lying on the ground of the first floor of the garage at 915 11th St., said Modesto Police Department spokeswoman Heather Graves.

When officers arrived, they found the man unconscious with injuries to his head. The victim was taken to a local hospital where he is in critical condition.

Meanwhile, a witness had followed the suspect as he left the garage and until officers could get there to take him into custody.

The early investigation indicates that the victim, who was working as a security guard in the parking garage, intervened in an argument between the suspect and a female parking attendant. The suspect struck the security guard during an altercation.

Graves said detectives are working through conflicting information about how the security guard was assaulted. She did not know what the altercation between the suspect and the parking attendant was about.

Don Lacey, 33, was arrested on suspicion of assault with great bodily injury. An enhancement was added to his charge for being a habitual offender, as this offense is Lacey’s third strike, Graves said.

Anyone with information about the assault is encouraged to call Detective Sean Martin at 209-342-6116 or Crime Stoppers at 209-521-4636. Callers to Crime Stoppers can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a cash reward.

This story was originally published November 11, 2017 at 11:45 AM with the headline "70-year-old security guard in critical condition after downtown Modesto assault."