The incident occurred in the 7600 block of Beverly Boulevard. (photo by Edwin Folven)

Officers from the Los Angeles Police Department’s Wilshire Division arrested a 54-year-old man on Oct. 17 who allegedly struck an elderly woman in the head with a metal bar in the 7600 block of Beverly Boulevard.

Witnesses saw the incident, called police and followed the suspect, who was arrested a few blocks away from the crime scene, said Lt. Mark Ro, with the Wilshire Division. The suspect, Andrew Thompson, is homeless, he said.

The 94-year-old victim was taken to Cedars-Sinai and is expected to survive. Ro said the attack was unprovoked. The victim was walking on Beverly Boulevard near Pan Pacific Park around 8:20 a.m. on Oct. 17 when the suspect approached from behind, shoved the victim to the ground and struck her with a metal bar. Ro said police determined what happened based on witness accounts and statements from the victim.

“She told officers at the hospital that she had never seen him before. She said he never said anything to her,” Ro added. “I don’t know how long he has been in the area. Some passersby said they recognized him. They had seen him a couple blocks north of the park.”

Thompson is being held on felony elder abuse. Any additional witnesses or anyone with further information about the crime is urged to call Wilshire Division detectives at (213)922-8205 and (213)473-0476.