In Oklahoma, a man armed with a baseball bat has been arrested after allegedly assaulting a grandmother from San Bernardino County, nearly killing her, and evading law enforcement for two months.
The Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office apprehended 26-year-old Erik Eduardo Navarro from Orange County on unrelated traffic violations. Soon after learning about his arrest, California investigators sought his extradition. On Tuesday, they traveled to Oklahoma to take him into custody.
According to the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, detectives coordinated with the County District Attorney’s Office to secure an extradition warrant.
Navarro is accused of exploiting the kindness of 71-year-old Theresa Garcia earlier this year when she welcomed him into her Crestline home. He claimed he needed a temporary place to stay before a job interview, which led her to offer him shelter.
Garcia, believing Navarro to be a “sweet kid” down on his luck, took care of him, cooking for him each night. However, soon after moving in, he began to overstep boundaries and demand more from her. When she finally asked him to leave on August 25, he reportedly retaliated violently.
Navarro allegedly used a metal baseball bat to attack Garcia while she was asleep, beating her until she was unconscious. Family members stated that he left her in dire need of medical attention.
“He just kept beating her until he thought she was dead,” her daughter, Abbie Garcia, shared. After the attack, Navarro reportedly stole her credit cards, phone, keys, and e-bike before fleeing.
The Sheriff’s Department mentioned that Garcia sustained several injuries, including a serious laceration to her forehead and swelling around her eyes that impaired her vision. She experienced days of vomiting blood due to the assault, prompting family to set up a crowdfunding campaign for her medical expenses, given the severity of her condition.
Navarro now faces multiple charges including battery resulting in serious injury, elder abuse, assault with a deadly weapon, and robbery. He has been booked at the West Valley Detention Center.
Abbie Garcia emphasized her mother’s undeserving experience of such brutality, expressing disbelief that her mother, who was simply trying to help someone in need, faced unimaginable violence instead. As of now, Navarro’s bail is set at $250,000, and he is scheduled for a court appearance on Friday.
