San Antonio police arrest 2 after ‘vicious’ assault caught on camera outside strip club

Victim survived his injuries, police say

Zachary Wiatrek and Aurelio Elizondo are both charged with aggravated assault causing serious bodily injury. (KSAT)

SAN ANTONIO – San Antonio police arrested two people accused of “viciously” assaulting a 26-year-old man, which was caught on camera.

Police said the victim was assaulted on Jan. 7 in the 9500 block of Perrin Beitel Road outside Capisce Gentleman’s Club. Video of the beating was shared with police on the department’s Facebook page, according to a news release.

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“The assistance and support provided by our committed citizens and media are to be credited for the capture of these individuals,” police said in the news release.

After investigating the incident, police arrested Zachary Taylor Wiatrek, 23, and Aurelio Elizondo Jr., 27. Both are charged with aggravated assault causing serious bodily injury.

According to their affidavits, the victim went to the club with Wiatrek and Elizondo, who he said are his friends. While he was waiting for a ride, he said an employee of the club “dragged him inside and stripped him of his clothing.”

The employee allegedly convinced Waitrek and Elizondo to beat him up, the victim told police.

Video of the incident was also shared with the KSAT 12 Defenders. In the graphic two-minute video, the victim could be seen naked on the ground with only a face mask under his chin.

When he stands up, a man in the video punches the victim in the face, knocking him to the ground. Though he survived, he suffered brain bleeding and a skull fracture as a result of his injuries, according to the affidavit.

The third suspect wanted in connection with this case has not yet been taken into custody, jail records showed.

Records show Wiatrek also has an unrelated aggravated robbery charge stemming from an incident on Oct. 2, 2020. Elizondo’s record includes two prior felony convictions for possessing controlled substances.


About the Author:

Fares Sabawi has been a journalist in San Antonio for three years. He has covered several topics, but specializes in crime, courts and data visualization.