Marine's Prosthetic Leg Stolen at Veterans Celebration

Police from multiple cities appealed to the public today for information leading to arrests in the case of an ex-Marine whose prosthetic leg was stolen from his truck while he took part in a military appreciation day at Knott’s Berry Farm.

Juan Hernandez, who leg was amputated after he was run over by a graffiti vandal he confronted Nov. 26, 2010, left his prosthetic leg in his Chevrolet Silverado while visiting the amusement park with his family May 26, Santa Ana police Cpl. Anthony Bertagna said.

While using a wheelchair in the park, which was honoring military veterans that Sunday, someone stole his pickup truck with his prosthetic leg in it, he said.

Santa Ana police also announced a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the named suspect -- Jose Luis Berruette -- who is suspected of running over Hernandez, Bertagna said.

Bertagna described the attack in which Hernandez lost his leg the day after Thanksgiving.

"Some guys were tagging a wall across the street from his house when one of his kids says, 'Knock it off,' " Bertagna said. "They get into a verbal argument with the gangsters, who leave and get more gangsters, and there's another confrontation."

Hernandez told the men he would call police and was run over, he said.

The attack was featured Jan. 6, 2012, on the TV show "America's Most Wanted," and the producers got SCOPE/Hanger Inc. to donate a custom-designed and fitted prosthetic leg to Hernandez, Bertagna said. The leg is valued at $30,000-$50,000, Bertagna added.

The 2007 pickup truck was stolen while the family was in the theme park.

Berruette, the suspect in the graffiti attack, is a 24-year-old man whom police believe fled to Mexicali, Mexico.

Berruette, wanted on suspicion of attempted murder, may have lost weight since the attack and may be using the alias Luis Avila, Bertagna said. He was described as 6 feet 2 inches and 220 pounds.