Gang member arrested after beating man unconscious in Porterville | YourCentralValley.com

PORTERVILLE, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – A gang member was arrested Saturday after a man was found beaten unconscious in a Porterville parking lot in early May, Porterville police said.

According to police, they were called around 8:30 p.m. on May 1 to report of a physical altercation in the parking lot of a shopping center in the 1300 block of West Henderson Avenue.

Upon arrival, officers reported an unconscious man who appeared to have suffered blunt force trauma. He was transported to a local hospital and officers learned the suspect had fled prior to their arrival.

Detectives eventually identified the suspect as 22-year-old Gabriel Avendano of Porterville, a known member of a criminal street gang, and obtained an arrest warrant.

At 7 p.m. Saturday, Avendano was found in the 1100 block of North Lu Ann Street and taken into custody after attempting to flee from detectives, according to police.

According to police reports, Avendano was suspected of assault causing serious injury and had an arrest warrant for a serious crime related to violent crimes.

Anyone with additional information regarding this incident is asked to contact the Porterville Police Department at 559-782-7400.