One man, 54, arrested in fight with another, 60, in Delhi

DELHI -- A fight between two Delhi men Sunday afternoon resulted in one man's arrest and the other man hospitalized for minor injuries.

A 60-year-old man was walking to a store near the 10,000 block of Flower Street to pay some bills, when Antonio Perez, 54, punched him in the face, knocked him unconscious and kicked him while he was on the ground, the victim alleged.

The victim was transported to a Modesto Hospital for treatment of his injuries, said Merced County sheriff's deputy Tom MacKenzie.

Deputies said they later found Perez in the 17000 block of Letteau Avenue. Perez said he had approached the victim because he had been bothering Perez's wife and wanted to tell him to stay away from his family.

The victim then punched Perez, he alleged, and he hit the victim in the eye to defend himself.

Perez was arrested and charged with assault causing great bodily injury and public intoxication.

The victim should recover from his injuries, deputies added.

Reporter Jamie Oppenheim can be reached at (209) 385-2407 or joppenheim@mercedsun-star.com.