Arrest in killing of SF newspaper vendor S.F. CRIME

San Francisco Chronicle newspaper vendor Dallas Ayers waits for customers Feb. 24, 2009, in San Francisco. Ayers was attacked on the street Jan. 28, 2013, and died of his injuries Feb. 21, 2013. San Francisco Chronicle newspaper vendor Dallas Ayers waits for customers Feb. 24, 2009, in San Francisco. Ayers was attacked on the street Jan. 28, 2013, and died of his injuries Feb. 21, 2013. Photo: Justin Sullivan, Getty Images Photo: Justin Sullivan, Getty Images Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close Arrest in killing of SF newspaper vendor 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

The alleged culprit in a fatal attack on an elderly Chronicle newspaper vendor has been arrested and booked on suspicion of murder, police said Monday.

Mark Anthony Cassell, 36, of San Francisco, was taken into custody Wednesday and booked into San Francisco County Jail after officers in the Tenderloin recognized him from a crime bulletin, said San Francisco police spokesman Carlos Manfredi.

Cassell, who is believed to be a transient, allegedly lifted 77-year-old Dallas Ayers on Jan. 28 without warning and dropped him to the pavement near Market and Montgomery streets before running away. Ayers, who had sold Chronicles for about 30 years, suffered hip injuries and died three weeks later at a hospital.

"He wrapped his arm around his waist, picked him up in the air and then dropped him pretty hard on the ground," Manfredi said. "This is a homicide, so it is a very important case."

Ayers, an amiable man who was described as universally liked, was a fixture selling newspapers behind the Peet's Coffee shop near the Montgomery BART Station starting at 5 a.m., and continuing until about 7:30 p.m., according to his supervisor.

Police did not provide a motive for the attack, which Manfredi said is still under investigation. Anyone with information can call Sgt. Kyra Delaney at (415) 553-1145 or the Anonymous Tip Line at (415) 575-4444 or Text a Tip at TIP411.