Elderly Man Killed In His Own Home By 'Transient' In OC: Police

ORANGE COUNTY, CA — A man described by police as a transient was in custody Thursday for reportedly killing an 87-year-old Garden Grove man in his home.

Officers were sent to the 9900 block of Central Avenue at around 7:30 p.m. Wednesday on a report of a "burglary in progress," Garden Grove police Sgt. Nick Jensen.

26-year-old Mario Brancato — described by police as a transient — was arrested and booked on suspicion of murder, Jensen said. He stands accused of killing Chuong Pham, authorities said.

The victim's son came home from work and saw the intruder in his apartment with his father on the floor, Jensen said. No weapons were found at the scene but it appears the victim was beaten, Jensen said.

"But we don't know if other objects were used," Jensen said.

The victim's son called 911 and with the help of neighbors was able to detain the suspect, Jensen said.

The son did not recognize the suspect and it does not appear Brancato and Pham knew each other, Jensen said.

Anyone with information about the case was urged to call Detective Rogers at 714-741-5413, or police investigations at 714-741-5800.