Four arrested in Stateline assault

Four men were arrested after allegedly assaulting a man on crutches in Stateline early Sunday morning.

The victim told deputies he was talking on his cell phone outside of Harrah's at about 4:30 a.m. when several men came up to him and started beating him with their fists.

One of the men took his cell phone. They all fled when they saw South Lake Tahoe police arrive. The victim had a swollen right eye and bleeding lower lip. He also had scratches and bruises on his face.

The victim pointed out that his assailants ran through the valet area. Deputies were able to capture four men, all of whom denied attacking the man, saying they were struck first.

Video tape of the scene showed the victim throwing down his crutches and then taking a defensive stance. It also showed, five men battering him, and even picking up his crutches and using them to hit him.

According to the sheriff's report, the video shows five men battering other people during the altercation, but no other victims came forward.

Arrested in connection with the incident were Nicholas Banks, 21, of Lathrop, Calif., who allegedly took the cell phone; Steven Bustamante, 21, of Rancho Cordova, Calif.; Tony Lopez, 24, of Stockton, Calif.; and Jesse Barba, 24, also of Rancho Cordova. The fifth man was not located by deputies.

Banks, Lopez and Bustamante are being held in Douglas County jail.