Greeley Police: Attack On 70-Year-Old Man 'Completely Unprovoked' & 'Random'

GREELEY, Colo. (CBS4) - A 34-year-old man has been arrested in Greeley after what police call a "completely unprovoked" and "unfortunate random act of violence" on a 70-year-old man.

According to police, at approximately 11:30 p.m. Saturday Dennis Loeser, 70, was riding his bike in the 900 block of 14th Avenue when Damon Esposito, 34, who was walking down the street, knocked him off his bike. Esposito then began punching and kicking the victim and then stomped on his head, police said.

Loeser was taken to Northern Colorado Medical Center. He was later flown to Denver Health Medical Center because of the severity of his injuries. He is listed in serious condition with facial bone fractures.

A spokesman for Greeley police said investigators were able to identify Esposito, who lives in Greeley, as the suspect. They put a warrant out for his arrest on suspicion of attempted second-degree murder. Based on that warrant Loveland police on Sunday came into contact with Esposito at a home and took him into custody.

After interviewing Esposito, police learned that previous to the attack on Loeser he had been in a verbal argument with his neighbor, Michael Ponce, 43, but nobody was injured. Police said Esposito then walked away and come across Loeser and took his anger out on him.

Police said Loeser had no connection to the early fight.

"After that fight finished Mr. Esposito was walking towards his house or in the area, saw Mr. Loeser on his bike and assaulted him without provocation," Lt. Craig Miller with Greeley police said.

Monday morning Esposito was booked on the warrant charges, pending additional corroborating evidence. He is currently being held in the Weld County Jail.

According to police, there is no indication Esposito was under the influence of any substance at the time and no sign the victim and suspect knew each other.