Man reportedly fell through roof, beat elderly business owner to death with baseball bat

FONTANA, Calif. (TCN) — Police are searching for a man they believe beat a 79-year-old man to death with a baseball bat inside his business, then fled the area.

According to the Fontana Police Department, on Jan. 10 just before 9 a.m., officers received a call about an emergency at Allstate Insurance on the 9700 block of Sierra Avenue and found the victim severely injured. Police believe the victim, who KTLA-TV identified as Fritz Mendoza, was opening up the business he had run for 30 years when Ronalee Stanberry allegedly hit him with the bat in an “unprovoked attack.” Stanberry fled the scene following the incident.

Paramedics transported Mendoza to Arrowhead Regional Medical Center, where he died on Jan. 21.

Police said Stanberry is a transient who “often travels by train” and has ties to Los Angeles and Kern counties. Stanberry allegedly stole a U.S. Postal Service shirt from Mendoza’s business and changed into it when he ran.

KTLA reports Mendoza went to work with his son, who walked into a back room and saw ceiling panels on the floor. He reportedly noticed a man in a chair, who police believe was Stanberry. Stanberry allegedly ordered Mendoza’s son to call someone, but then he grabbed a decorative baseball bat off the wall and hit Mendoza. The bat was reportedly a gift and had his grandchildren’s initials on it.

Mendoza’s granddaughter told KTLA Stanberry “fell through” the roof. The family believes Stanberry could have stayed overnight because the front door was locked.

She shared, “If I could say there’s a grandpa out there that everybody wants, that’s him.”

Anyone with information regarding Stanberry’s whereabouts should contact the Fontana Police Department.

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