Police arrested Marco de la Cruz, 26, of Simi Valley early Thursday after serving a search warrant at his home. They identified him as a known gang member with an extensive criminal history who had an outstanding felony warrant already out for his arrest.
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The stabbing occurred Saturday night not far from a Simi Valley mosque.
Police say two men confronted worshippers who had left the mosque and were walking on the sidewalk. A fight ensued and one of the worshippers suffered non-life-threatening stab wounds to the abdomen.
Police believe from alleged statements and actions by the suspects that the victim was targeted because of his religious background.
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Officers arrested John Matteson, 29, of Simi Valley, that night but a second suspect fled the scene.
Their investigation led to the identification of de la Cruz, who is a neighbor of Matteson in the 1500 block of Kearney Avenue.
The Simi Valley SWAT team served search warrants at the residences of de la Cruz and Matteson around 5 a.m. Thursday and arrested de la Cruz. He was booked at the Ventura County Jail on charges of assault with a deadly weapon; criminal threats; civil rights violation; and parole violation.
Matteson had already posted bail and was released from jail on Wednesday, police said.