Just before sunrise Sunday morning, two to three unknown male suspects attacked a 31-year-old man walking home from his in-laws' house in Gilroy, police said.
Nothing during the attack indicated a gang connection, but the victim told police he believed the suspects targeted him because they thought he was a Sure'o gang member, which he denied, Sgt. Jim Gillio said.
The victim was walking south of Hanna Street from Sixth Street when, about three blocks south, the male suspects came out of an alley near Hanna Street in south downtown Gilroy, police said. The assailants yelled obscenities in English before attacking the Hispanic man, who only speaks Spanish, police said.
The victim suffered minor injuries to the face due to blunt objects, most likely shoes, Sgt. Jim Gillio said. No weapons were used during the attack, after which the man took himself to the hospital. Staff there contacted police.
Among other undisclosed reasons, police do not believe the attack was gang related because the victim - despite only speaking Spanish - did not report hearing any slogans gang members usually yell out before and during an assault, police said.
Let's settle this ...
A duel of sorts unfolded at Christmas Hill Park last weekend.
Two men, ages 19 and 20, decided to resolve a "childhood dispute" with their fists about 10:30 a.m. Friday, Sgt. Jim Gillio said.
When police arrived to see the fighters with minor facial injuries, the two men declined to provide additional information, police said. Neither party wanted to press charges. Both received treatment at Saint Louise Regional Hospital. It was unclear if the men settled their dispute.
Homeless teen arrested for weapon while carrying couch
Two homeless teenagers were carrying a couch down the street when an officer stopped them and then arrested one for possession of metal knuckles, police said.
About 10:18 a.m. Saturday, an officer on patrol noticed Israel Lopez, 19, carrying a "large sofa" with a 17-year-old male along the 7500 block of Monterey Street near Lewis Street in downtown Gilroy, Sgt. Jim Gillio said.
The officer stopped and asked the teens what they were doing, police said. They said they were living under a bridge and wanted to bring the couch there. It was unclear if Lopez then consented to a search, if the officer had probable cause to search him or if his weapon was plainly visible.
Lopez could face up to a year in county jail for having the metal knuckles, according to the state penal code.
Chris Bone Chris Bone covers Gilroy government for South Valley Newspapers. Reach him at 847-7109 or e-mail him.
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