06/08/2026
We’d like to give a shoutout and thank our wonderful Placer County citizens for their courageous actions when they observed an elderly woman getting victimized.
Thank you for taking the initiative and helping your fellow human being! Your selfless actions and willingness to help others are to be commended!
We appreciate you! ❤️
𝐌𝐚𝐧 𝐀𝐫𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐀𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐕𝐢𝐨𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐀𝐭𝐭𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐚𝐭 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐚 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐤
On Saturday, May 23, a woman fishing with her son and her elderly mother were violently attacked at Chana Park in North Auburn. The elderly victim, who uses a wheelchair, was knocked to the ground and briefly lost consciousness. The second victim was also knocked to the ground and repeatedly punched in the head.
A Good Samaritan heard the woman's cries for help, ran to assist, and tackled the suspect. With the help of another man who was at the park, he restrained the suspect until deputies arrived.
When deputies arrived at Chana Park just minutes after receiving reports of an assault in progress, they found 49-year-old Michael Appleberry, who was staying at The Gathering Inn in Auburn, being restrained by the two Good Samaritans. The investigation determined Appleberry had violently assaulted both women before the men intervened and stopped the attack.
Appleberry resisted arrest and later spit blood on medical personnel. He was arrested and booked into jail. He is currently being held on four felony charges, including battery and causing injury to an elder adult, as well as two misdemeanor charges.
We commend the quick actions of the two Good Samaritans whose intervention stopped the attack and likely prevented further injuries.
