Man Arrested for Hate Crime in Mountain View
Posted on Oct 9, 2009 1:50pm PDT
In Mountain View, California, it is being reported that a Hispanic male was recently arrested for committing a
hate crime and assault with a deadly weapon. Last Wednesday, the man allegedly shouted a racial slur at an African American couple and then proceeded to punch and throw a beer can at a 20 year old male who was walking with his girlfriend, a 20 year old girl from Palo Alto.
The couple had been standing outside of an apartment complex at 7:30 PM when the incident occurred. Police say that the suspect, 26 year old Humberto Peneda, emerged from the passenger side of a purple van.
Pineda lived at the apartment complex. When he saw the couple, he threw a beer bottle onto the ground before approaching them. The couple tried to walk away toward their friend's apartment when Pineda shouted a racial slur and threw a beer bottle at the man. Thankfully, he missed.
Pineda then followed the couple to their friend's place. Once they reached the door of the apartment, Pineda punched the man in the face. The man fought back until other residents within the apartment complex broke up the fight and the woman called 911.
Approximately 2 hours later, police saw Pineda pull up at the apartment complex in the same purple van. According to police, the couple and Pineda did not know each other, which is why they believe the crime was racially motivated.
Pineda was placed under arrest for assault with a deadly weapon, hate crime, battery, driving under the influence, driving with a suspended license and violating probation. He was escorted to the Santa Clara County Main Jail and his bail amount is yet to be determined.
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