Man Suspected of Assaulting Teen, Stealing His Bike

MURRIETA - A probationer suspected of beating up a Murrieta teenager and stealing the boy's bicycle was behind bars today.

James Cuevas, 20, was arrested Tuesday night, a day after the alleged attack, and booked on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon, robbery and probation violations.

Murrieta police said that around 9 p.m. Monday, the 17-year-old victim was riding in the area of Hancock Avenue and Parkcrest Drive when he was allegedly jumped by Cuevas, who beat the teen and took his bike.

The boy, whose identity was not released, was treated for minor to moderate injuries, said Sgt. Don Weller.

He said the teen could only provide a vague description of his attacker, but through further investigation, officers determined the suspect's identity and located him around 11 p.m. Tuesday in the 39000 block of Avenida Palazada Street, where he was arrested without incident.

Cuevas was booked into the Southwest Detention Center in Murrieta. Bail information was not immediately available.