Two transported to Palomar Hospital after assault and stabbing

Two individuals were transported to Palomar Medical Center after they were assaulted in different incidences in Fallbrook on March 29 by suspected Vista gang members.

According to Fallbrook Sheriff’s substation commander Phil Brust, a 20-year-old Hispanic male, whose name is being withheld, was walking down the 1100 block of Old Stage Road at approximately 4:40 p.m. when he was approached by five Hispanic males, all of whom are believed to be Vista gang members.

When the victim denied being in any gang, the suspects, who allegedly did not believe him, beat him, then got into a vehicle in an attempt to leave the scene.

The victim sustained “bumps and bruises,” and was transported to Palomar Hospital for treatment, said Brust.

Witnesses called 911, and gave responding deputies a description of the getaway vehicle. Sheriff’s Deputy Joe Montion saw the vehicle leaving the scene, stopped it, and detained the four individuals found inside.

Two Hispanic juveniles, both described as 17-year-old males, were arrested, along with Noe Resendiz, 18, of Vista, and Antonio Soto, 22, of Oceanside.

The men were taken to the Vista Correctional Facility and are being charged with assault with a deadly weapon with gross bodily injury and participating in a criminal street gang. Their case is being handled by the North County Gang Task Force.

At approximately 5 p.m. the same day, another victim, who is believed to be a 17-year-old male, was walking down the 200 block of Ammunition Road when he was approached by a Hispanic adult male.

Words were exchanged between the two, and the suspect produced a knife and stabbed the victim in the abdomen before fleeing the scene.

According to witnesses living near the scene of the crime, the suspect crossed the street and entered the mobile home park there. The man entered one of the homes, and asked the individuals inside for bus fare to get back home, but was chased out.

The victim called someone to take him to Fallbrook Hospital, where he was diagnosed with a “fairly serious stab wound,” and then transported to the Palomar Medical Center.

According to Brust, the victim is expected to survive his injuries.

Brust believes that the cases may be related, but cannot confirm the connection between the two.

“Witnesses from the first crime said there were five suspects involved, but we only arrested four,” he explained. “We are still trying to connect the investigations.”

Anyone with information pertaining to either incident is being asked to call the Sheriff's substation at (760) 451-3100.