Full Notification

DATE:             April 20, 2021
                       
INCIDENT:     PC 243 (D) – Battery on a Person w/Serious Bodily Injury
                        PC211 – Robbery/Strong Arm
                        PC 236 – False Imprisonment w/Violence

LOCATION:    Los Amigos Park       
                
SUSPECT:      Michael Alejo, 18-years-old of Ontario
                        Aaron Kulinski, 22-years-old of Rancho Cucamonga
                        Shant Whitfield, 19-years-old of Upland
                        Elijah Barragan, 20-years-old of Rancho Cucamonga
 
VICTIM:          40-year-old male, resident of Rancho Cucamonga
 
Summary:
On April 13, 2021, deputies from the Rancho Cucamonga Station received an Instagram video from an anonymous source.  The video depicted a violent assault by multiple suspects on a single victim at Los Amigos Park.  The first suspect, later identified as Michael Alejo, punched a man in the face, immediately rendering him unconscious.  As the victim lay on the ground, the second suspect, later identified as Aaron Kulinski, ran to the victim, and kicked him in the head.  Alejo and Kulinski continued beating the victim with their hands and feet. 
 
A third suspect who videotaped the attack, later identified as Shant Whitfield, encouraged the beating and instructed the others to check the victim’s pockets.  Kulinski checked the victim’s pockets and stole a pocketknife.  When the victim finally got to his feet and attempted to walk away, a fourth suspect, identified as Elijah Barragan, ran up behind the victim and punched him the head, again rendering him unconscious.  The beating continued by all four suspects as the video ended.
 
Through investigation, detectives identified all four suspects. 
 
On April 14, 2021, detectives from the Rancho Cucamonga Station contacted Kulinski at work and took him into custody.  Detectives served a search warrant at Kulinski’s home and recovered gang paraphernalia and the shoes Kulinski wore during the attack.  Detectives also contacted Whitfield at his residence and took him into custody.  A search warrant was served at the home and gang paraphernalia was collected. 
 
On April 19, 2021, detectives located Alejo near his residence in Ontario.  Detectives transported him to the station for an interview where he was also arrested.  A search warrant was served at his residence and gang paraphernalia was found. 
 
On April 20, 2021, Barragan turned himself in to the Rancho Cucamonga Station. 
 
All four suspects were booked in at the West Valley Detention Center, respectively.  Alejo and Whitfield bailed out on $100,000 bail.  Kulinski remains in custody on $150,000 bail.  Barragan also remains in custody where his bail is set at $50,000. 
 
The video is not being released at this time.
 
The motive for this assault remains under investigation.  Anyone with information regarding this investigation is urged to contact the Rancho Cucamonga Sheriff’s Station.  Callers wishing to remain anonymous can call the We-tip Hotline at 1-800-78-CRIME (27463) or you may leave information at www.wetip.com.

 
Refer:              Detective C. Ash       
Station:            Rancho Cucamonga Station              
Case No.        112104183         
Phone No.      909-477-2800                
 
John McMahon, Sheriff-Coroner
San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department