Friday, Jan. 22, 2010
Teen suffers beating by alleged gang members
Four arrests made following incident
By Corey Pride / cpride@losbanosenterprise.com
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ReprintA teenager wound up in the hospital after being beaten up by gang members last week, police said.
The teen was treated for his injuries and subsequently released.
According to the Los Baños Police Department, on Jan. 14 at about 3:13 p.m. officers were called to the 300 block of G Street to investigate an assault.
Police said Officer Justin Melden arrived at the scene and quickly determined that a 17-year-old male was in need of medical attention.
The teen stated that he was approached by four or five people who asked him about his gang affiliation. The boy explained he had no gang ties and attempted to leave the area, police said.
The teen was then attacked. Sgt. Elias Reyes said the boy was kicked repeatedly by four suspected gang members.
Police obtained a description of the suspects and two of them, a 15-year-old male and a 16-year-old male, were located on the 500 block of I Street and arrested.
One of the juveniles was allegedly in possession of a cellular phone that was used to record the assault, police said.
On Jan. 15 Det. Eduardo Solis and Officer Preston Jelen identified two more suspects and took them into custody. One of the alleged attackers is a 17-year-old male and the other is 18-year-old Justin Paul Marquez of Los Baños.
The 17 year old was wearing the victim's shoes when he was found, police said. He was arrested on suspicion of possession of stolen property, robbery, assault with force likely to produce great bodily injury and participation in a criminal street gang.
The other juveniles were arrested on suspicion of robbery, conspiracy to commit a criminal offense and assault with force likely to produce great bodily injury. The teens were transported to Merced County Juvenile Hall.
Marquez was was arrested on suspicion of robbery, conspiracy to commit a crime, participation in a criminal street gang and assault with force likely to produce great bodily injury. Marquez was taken to the Los Baños Jail. His bail is $65,000.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is strongly encouraged to contact the Los Baños Police Department at 827-7070. To leave an anonymous crime tip call, 827-7070 ext. 288.
Enterprise staff writer Corey Pride can be reached at 388-6563 or cpride@losbanosenterprise.com