Hate crime
Sgt. Phil McMullin stated that the 25-year-old man allegedly attacked the Korean couple who were in one of the evening walks. The Korean couple ages 79-years-old and 80-years-old were doing their daily routine walk when they were approached, unprovoked, and punched both faces of the elderly. Photo by Sunyu Kim from Pexels

After allegedly threatening violence against a Japanese American Olympic athlete, a man was arrested on suspicion of assaulting an elderly Korean American couple at a Southern California park, police say.

Sgt. Phil McMullin stated that the 25-year-old man allegedly attacked the Korean couple who were in one of the evening walks. The Korean couple, ages 79-years-old and 80-years-old were doing their daily routine walk when they were approached, unprovoked, and punched both faces of the elderly. The assault put them on the ground of Grijalva Park on Sunday.

Based on the Orange police's Facebook post, they arrested the 25-year-old man, Michael Orlando Vivona, for suspecting him of elder abuse and committing another hate crime. But it was not immediately disclosed if he has a lawyer to speak on his behalf.

According to the Associated Press, the Korean couple was treated right away at the scene and cleared for any serious injury. The suspect was surrounded by individuals present at the scene as he was wearing the same clothing in an earlier attack. The individuals at the park also made sure that the suspect will be arrested as they waited for the police to arrive.

In addition, Sgt. McMullin stated that the attack was racially motivated as the victim has a hate tendency or fixation with Asians. Authorities also confirmed that it is not the first time that Vivona was involved in the same situation.

Vivona also yelled at an athlete who will represent the United States in the karate competition at the summer Olympic Games. The athlete was identified as Sakura Kokumai, who at the time was working out in preparation for the upcoming international game. The incident was recorded by the athlete on her cellphone. Vivona was caught yelling the word 'Chinese' to Kokumai and even threatened to assault her.

The suspect had a Corona address. However, McMullin stated Vivona appeared to be living out of his car and was not known to Orange Police.

Furthermore, the arrest was a result of recent reports of violence against Asian Americans in several communities, which include vandalism, assaults, and snatchings. Some activists have blamed the fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic, which started in the city of Wuhan in China, The San Diego Union-Tribune reported.

Rampant Hate Crimes

On the other hand, a man from Fullerton has been charged after he threw rocks at an Asian woman and her 6-year-old son. The victims were driving down a street in Orange County City on March 31. The windshield of the woman's vehicle was damaged, but both of them were not hurt.

The county district attorney's office stated in a news release that the man shared to the police that Koreans in the area were trying to control him. He has pleaded not guilty to felony charges.

Meanwhile, last month, the Orange County Board of Supervisors passed two anti-hate crime resolutions to resolve the hike in racial crimes, especially against Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders. The Orange County Human Relations Commission also stated that these crimes increased more than ten times in the past year.

WATCH: Man attacks Korean-American women in California; calls her "nuclear terrorist" - Arirang News