POLICE: JOHN BARRYMORE III ASSAULTED

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. - Former actor John Barrymore III was beaten in his
home by teen-agers trying to steal his marijuana plants, police said Sunday.

Six teens arrived at the house in a van Wednesday, said police spokesman
Jim Bennett. When Barrymore and his wife opened the door, they were beaten
with a metal trailer hitch slung in a sock.

The San Jose Mercury News reported that Barrymore, 47, underwent brain
surgery Friday and was expected to recover.

"We are lucky to be alive," Rebecca Barrymore, who is recovering at home,
told the newspaper.

Bennett said the investigation is continuing.

The Barrymores' home number is unlisted and Mrs. Barrymore could not be
reached for comment. A Stanford Medical Center spokeswoman was unable to
confirm John Barrymore was hospitalized.

Barrymore, 47, is the grandson of the Shakespearean actor and silent film
star of the same name. Now dabbling in high-tech work, he has had several
minor movie roles.

He and actress Drew Barrymore have the same father. Drew Barrymore is the
daughter of John Barrymore Jr. and his fourth wife, Jaid. John Barrymore
III is the son of Barrymore's first wife.

A witness told police the youths had heard Barrymore's son bragging about
his father's cache of 100 marijuana plants, the newspaper reported.

Rebecca Barrymore told the paper her husband kept the plants to relieve his
chronic migraines. Such medical use is illegal under federal law.

Jeremy Solito, 18, of San Jose, was arraigned on charges of attempted
murder, robbery and burglary. Bond was set at $1 million for Solito and $5
million for a 17-year-old suspect. Four juveniles also were arrested,
Bennett said.

The suspects fled without taking any plants and were arrested minutes
later, he said.