Police responded to a call reporting an assault near the Labor Line at Garden and Yanonali street yesterday morning. Crispulo Sanchez, 55, claimed that he knew his assailant, who left Sanchez with a jagged stab wound to the forearm. An interview with Sanchez provided police with a clear description of the attacker’s dress and his name, “Santana.” After learning the direction in which the suspect traveled, Officer Martin Menez checked nearby Laguna Creek. Menez encountered a man who matched the description loitering in the creek bed. The man gave a false name, but was detained none the less. Blood was found on the man’s jacket and Sanchez identified the man as his assailant, 34-year-old Santana Delgado Hernandez.
The fight was allegedly prompted by an accusation made by Hernandez that Sanchez had stolen his bicycle. After Sanchez denied this, Hernandez improvised a weapon by breaking the end off of a 40-ounce beer bottle and lunging at Sanchez with it, successfully inflicting a deep and curved wound.
Sanchez retreated with Hernandez in pursuit. Police were notified once Sanchez stumbled to the safety of the business district. Hernandez was booked for assault with a deadly weapon. Sanchez is on the mend, after being treated at Cottage Hospital.
Both men are homeless, according to police reports.