2 Brothers Arrested on Suspicion of Beating Santee Homeless Man

SANTEE,CA: Two brothers have been arrested in connection with the beating Sunday of a transient.

Santee residents Austin Mostrong, 20, and Preston Mostrong, 19, were taken into custody by sheriff's detectives and have been booked into the San Diego Central Jail on charges of attempted murder, torture and kidnapping, sheriff's Lt. Kenneth Nelson said Thursday in a news release.

The victim, 50-year-old George Lowery, was found unresponsive and suffering from severe trauma to his upper body by deputies called to the river bottom near Chubb Lane and North Magnolia Avenue.

Lowery, believed to be a resident of a nearby homeless encampment, was treated by paramedics at the scene and then taken to a local hospital for treatment of critical injuries.

"His condition remains unchanged," Nelson said. "He is in critical condition and not expected to survive his injuries."

Photo: banspy via Flickr