Man Assaulted Tuesday Near Waterfront
Two Arrested for Punching Victim and Stomping on His Head
A 58-year-old male was assaulted by two Hispanic males on September 2 at approximately 7 p.m., near the intersection of Cabrillo Boulevard and Calle Cesar Chavez, Santa Barbara Police report. According to a statement from police spokesman Sgt. Lorenzo Duarte, the victim described the assailants but was vague about why he was attacked, saying the assault happened very quickly. The entire assault was witnessed by an off-duty police officer, unknown to the victim, who was then able to help the officers who responded to the call. Both suspects were found nearby and were later identified as Luis Cardenas, 25, and Juan Moreno Castillo, 42.
The investigation determined that initially Cardenas punched the victim in the head and was then joined by Castillo. The two suspects punched the victim’s head and upper body until he fell, at which point Cardenas continued to punch the victim while he was on the ground and Castillo reportedly “stomped” on the victim’s head several times. Both suspects were arrested on charges of felony battery, and Castillo was also arrested on charges of supplying false information because he initially gave the police a false name and date of birth.
