Two Arrested In Double Stabbing Near Beach Boardwalk

Two men were arrested Sunday afternoon in Santa Cruz in a suspected gang-related stabbing of two Sacramento men near the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, according to police.

Juan Carlos Ortega, 19, and Larry Lloyd Lee, 38, both of Santa Cruz, were booked into county jail in connection with an incident that left the two victims, ages 18 and 22, with stab wounds, Santa Cruz police said.

At 1:34 p.m. Sunday, police were dispatched to the area of Leibrandt Avenue and Beach Street by the eastern end of the boardwalk’s grounds on a report of a fight and stabbing, officers said.

Police located the two victims, one with a stab wound to his upper left arm and the other who had been stabbed in the lower abdomen. Both men, who were residents of Sacramento, were treated at Dominican Hospital in Santa Cruz and released, police said.

Ortega and Lee were located in the area and arrested, police said. Ortega was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon and violating his parole, police said. Lloyd was arrested on suspicion of fighting in a public place and violating his probation, according to police. The suspects declined to cooperate with police during a preliminary investigation, officers said.

The motive for the stabbing appears to be related to street gang activity, according to police.

The Police Department is requesting those with information about the case to contact its investigation unit at (831) 420-5820.

--Bay City News

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