Police said two 13-year-olds face felony charges after a man was kicked in the head and robbed at an apartment complex.
SAN BERNARDINO, CA — Two 13-year-olds were arrested after their parents turned them in to police following an attack and cellphone theft involving a man relaxing in a hot tub at a San Bernardino apartment complex, authorities said.
The Aug. 14 attack at the Creekside Village Apartments was captured on surveillance video, according to police and local news reports. Investigators said the victim was sitting alone when two juveniles approached him from behind. One kicked him in the head while the other took his cellphone, and both fled. Police later obtained the surveillance footage and identified the teenagers as suspects.
The victim, Greg Medina, said he had been relaxing in the hot tub while listening to music through headphones when he was struck from behind. Medina said afterward that he experienced headaches and dizziness and was diagnosed with a post-concussion disorder. ABC7 reported that he suffered a concussion in the attack.
Police said both teenagers were turned in by their parents and arrested early Friday, Aug. 21. Authorities did not publicly identify either teen because they are minors. Police said both were booked on felony charges. NBC Los Angeles reported that each was arrested on suspicion of robbery and that the teen accused of kicking Medina also faces a felony battery charge.
The attack occurred at Creekside Village Apartments at 495 E. Third St. Police described the assault as unprovoked. Surveillance footage showed the two juveniles approaching Medina from behind before one struck him and the other took his phone, according to accounts of the police investigation.
Medina, a chef who works for the nonprofit Lutheran Social Services, told NBC Los Angeles that he believed the parents made a difficult but appropriate decision by turning in their children. He said the teenagers needed to be held accountable while also expressing relief that his injuries were not more severe.
Medina said he met with the teenagers Friday morning after their arrest. He said they apologized, and he told them he forgave them. Medina described the two as young people who need help and said he did not hate them despite what happened.
The arrests followed investigators’ review of surveillance footage from the apartment complex. Police have not released the teenagers’ names or detailed what evidence beyond the video was used to identify them. Authorities also have not publicly described what will happen next in the juvenile court process.
The San Bernardino Police Department said the case remains under investigation. No additional arrests had been announced as of Sunday, and authorities had not released further details about the juvenile proceedings.
Author note: Last updated August 23, 2026.