Police say Juan Huertas had gone to the Gas Station when at least seven young men attacked him. Officers say the suspects punched, kicked and struck Huertas repeatedly with a metal pipe.
Huertas tried to get away from the attackers, but they chased him and continued beating him into one of the traffic lanes of Janss Road, near Moorpark Road. Huertas lost consciousness from the brutal attack. He suffered a concussion, as well as numerous bruises and cuts. Huertas was taken by ambulance to Los Robles Hospital for treatment.
The suspects left the area in a Chevrolet Suburban. But an eyewitness followed the vehicle and directed officers to its location, in the area of Erbes Road and Thousand Oaks Boulevard.
Three adult suspects were booked at the East County Jail in Thousand Oaks. They are identified as Edward Kolodziej, 25, of Newbury Park, Carlos Gonzalo Ruiz, 18, of Thousand Oaks, and David Hernandez, 18, of Simi Valley.
Four juvenile suspects, ages 15 through 17, were booked at the Juvenile Justice Center in Oxnard.
All seven suspects remain in custody on charges of assault with a deadly weapon, conspiracy, and committing a crime for the benefit of a criminal street gang.
Anyone who was in the area at the time and has information about this incident is asked to call Detective Jon Smith at (805)494-8216.
Ventura County Crime Stoppers will pay up to $1,000 reward for information which leads to the arrest and criminal complaint against the person(s) responsible for this crime. The caller may remain anonymous. The call is not recorded. Call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477).
