Arrest made in assault of 58-year-old man

BY ERIC LINDBERG
DAILY SOUND STAFF

Santa Barbara police arrested two men who assaulted a 58-year-old local man on Tuesday after the attack was witnessed by an off-duty police officer.
Authorities received reports of the assault from witnesses near Cabrillo Boulevard and Calle Cesar Chavez at 7:01 p.m. on Tuesday and arrived to find medics treating the victim, Sgt. Lorenzo Duarte said.

The victim gave officers vague reasons for the attack, stating that it happened quickly, but did provide a description of the suspects, authorities said. Police searched the surrounding area and found both suspects nearby with the help of an off-duty officer who witnessed the assault.
Sgt. Duarte said Luis Cardenas, 25, attacked first, allegedly hitting the victim on the head. The second suspect, 42-year-old Juan Moreno Castillo, joined the fight and allegedly started punching the victim’s head and upper body, authorities said.
“The victim fell to the ground and Cardenas continued to punch the victim’s head and upper body,” Sgt. Duarte said in a news release. “Castillo stood over the victim and ‘stomped’ on the victim’s head several times with his foot.”
Sgt. Duarte said the victim lost consciousness during the assault. Medics took him to the hospital, where he was treated and released for abrasions, a protruding bump on his forehead, and an eye that had swollen shut, police said.
Police arrested both suspects, who are reportedly homeless, for felony battery. Officers also arrested Castillo for providing false information to a peace officer after he initially gave a fake name and date of birth.
Sgt. Duarte said the off-duty officer who saw the assault did not have his cell phone with him, but noticed other people calling police. He assisted during the investigation and provided descriptions of the suspects prior to their arrest.