Homeless thug beat Sikh worshipper, 70, with a golf club: cops

A homeless man with a long criminal history viciously beat a 70-year-old Sikh man with a golf club near his place of worship, according to California cops — with the victim seen soaked in blood before being put on a medically induced coma.

The attacker approached Harpal Singh on a bike in North Hollywood on Aug. 4 — then repeatedly bashed him with the club, before walking away, according to KTLA.

Disturbing footage shows the battered 70-year-old stoically sitting cross-legged on the ground, completely covered in blood — and left holding the club used to beat him.

Singh was put in a medically induced coma with a fractured skull and possible brain damage.

Bo Richard Vitagliano, 44, was arrested Monday night — a week after the attack — and charged with assault with a deadly weapon, LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell told reporters at a press conference Tuesday.

The “unhoused” suspect has “an extensive criminal record,” including for narcotics, weapons and assault with a deadly weapon, the chief said.

The attack happened not far from the Sikh Gurdwara of Los Angeles — Singh’s regular place of worship — but religion did not appear to be a factor in the attack, the chief said.

“Based on the evidence in this matter, North Hollywood detectives believe the assault was not a hate crime,” McDonnell stated.

It instead seemed to be “motivated by a dispute over property belonging to the victim,” the chief said, without elaborating on what.  

However, the Sikh Coalition, an organization supporting the rights of Sikhs in the US, said they believe “it is impossible to completely rule out a bias motive at this stage.”

Cops would make extra patrols in the area, the chief said, to reassure members of the sikh community worshipping there.