A Canyon Country man who was assaulted before his car was stolen near Jakes Way in August is trying to forgive the teenage assailants who received probation after an attack that left him with blurred vision, chronic pain and scars that could linger longer.

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Two of the teens were released Thursday after their hearing, while the third is still in custody at a juvenile detention center in Sylmar because he was fighting while in custody.

Meanwhile the 56-year-old Sanford Goldstyn, a substance-abuse counselor in Tarzana, is still working through problems with his sight, chronic headaches, numbness and a skull fracture he sustained in the attack.

“I’m a little disappointed that they were placed on probation,” Goldstyn said. “But the parents were apologetic, one of the defendants apologized in court. I just hope for the best and that now they’ll stay on course and do the right thing.”

On Aug. 10, Goldstyn parked on his car on the 17600 block of Jakes Way, outside his apartment complex, where he was approached by three teens who apparently were going to the same place.

“They were actually walking in front of me,” Goldstyn said. “When we got close to the front, the youngest one said, ‘Give me your car keys.’ At first, I kind of thought he was joking. I refused, and the second juvenile said, ‘He’s not kidding, you better give him your keys.’”

At that point, a third teenager, whom Goldstyn hadn’t seen, blindsided the man from his left side with a punch.

“I didn’t see it coming, so I didn’t even move to block it,” Goldstyn said.

Goldstyn was hit several more times, and managed to get his keys out of his pocket while he was being attacked and threw them on the ground.

The teens grabbed his keys and took off running.

“I staggered under a street lamp and called 911,” he said.

His 2009 Lincoln MKX had a tracking system, and approximately 90 minutes later, police officers from the Los Angeles Police Department, Hollywood Station, attempted to conduct a traffic stop on the victim’s vehicle.

The vehicle initially failed to yield but stopped a short distance later.

The three teens ran from the car, and two were caught while a third was later identified.

Goldstyn received a skull fracture in the incident, and his vision has been affected by the attack, because he was wearing glasses and the lenses was smashed into his eye.

His front four teeth and cheek bone are still numb.

But the biggest scars might take longer to heal, he said, adding that he was going to therapy to work past the frustration and anger.

It makes it tougher for him to do his job, he said, where he counsels people who are sometimes accused of doing the same crimes that his assailants committed when they’re under the influence of drugs and alcohol.

“I try to be a little more understanding and forgiving,” Goldstyn said. “I’m having a hard time though. It’s going to take some therapy.”

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