Black Youth Tied Up, Assaulted In Possible Hate Crime: Cops

SAN BRUNO, CA — Three individuals were arrested Thursday on suspicion of hate-crime charges after a black juvenile reported to police that he was tied up with a rope, repeatedly assaulted and threatened with death and ethnic slurs while visiting a female friend of Hispanic descent at a San Bruno home, according to authorities.

The youth said he was seeing the acquaintance at her residence, and the alleged incidents unfolded after her relatives came home, the San Bruno Police Department said.

"Three of the family members became irate and started assaulting the male juvenile victim," police said. "These family members ultimately restrained the victim using rope, held him against his will, assaulted him multiple times and threatened to kill him."

The victim subsequently was freed and ran from the home, officers said. He was treated at an area hospital for injuries deemed non-life-threatening.

"The victim reported that throughout this attack, the suspects yelled at him using multiple racial slurs, and he believed his race to be a motivating factor in the attack," the agency said. "The victim is African-American, and the suspects are of Hispanic descent."

Arrested in the case were: Wilfredo Amaya, 46 of San Bruno; Haydee Arguello, 46 of San Bruno; and 49-year-old San Francisco resident Luisandor Suarez .

A search warrant was served at the home and evidence was collected, police said, although they provided no specific details.

The three suspects were booked into the San Mateo County Jail for numerous felony charges related to committing a hate crime, including suspicion of kidnapping, assault with a deadly weapon and criminal threats, the department said.

Anyone with additional information on the case can contact San Bruno police at (650)
616-7100, or by email: sbpdtipline@sanbruno.ca.gov. Information can be left anonymously.

• ALSO SEE: 2 Accused Of Running Retail-Theft Ring From Peninsula Home