A suspect in a vicious assault in June was arrested after mall
security officers in San Jose recognized him working at a food
court restaurant, according to Morgan Hill Police.
Morgan Hill – A suspect in a vicious assault in June was arrested after mall security officers in San Jose recognized him working at a food court restaurant, according to Morgan Hill Police.
Guillermo N. Grimaldo, 22, of San Jose, was taken to Santa Clara County jail last week and is held on $50,000 bail on a charge of battery resulting in serious injury.
“He was known to work for Auntie Anne’s Pretzels, typically in the Gilroy Outlet location, but he had occasionally worked in the Oakridge Mall location, and we sent a flier to the security offices at both malls,” MHPD Sgt. David Swing said Monday. “One of the security officers at Oakridge saw him working at that location and notified us.”
San Jose Police officers worked with mall security and MHPD detectives to coordinate an arrest, Swing said. Grimaldo was arrested without incident.
The assault occurred in the early morning hours of June 18, according to police.
The victim, Ramon Garcia of Morgan Hill, was treated for a broken jaw, internal bleeding in his brain, facial lacerations and dislodged teeth.
MHPD Chief Bruce Cumming described the beating at the time as “particularly vicious.”
According to the report, Garcia was asleep at a residence where he “rents a couch” when Grimaldo punched him in the face, waking him up, and continued attacking him.
Swing said Garcia allegedly fled to Las Vegas after the attack.
The motive for the attack is still under investigation, but Swing said it could have been some king of a retaliation.
“The mother (at the residence where Garcia was renting) is alleging that (Ramon Garcia) touched her daughter inappropriately through casual contact,” Swing said.
Marilyn Dubil covers education and law enforcement for The Times. Reach her at (408) 779-4106 ext. 202 or at md****@*************es.com.
