San Rafael man jailed in brass-knuckle gang beating
Gary Klien
Posted: 06/05/2009 08:25:09 PM PDT
Updated: 06/05/2009 08:54:30 PM PDT

A 24-year-old San Rafael man was arrested on allegations he beat a pedestrian with a pair of brass knuckles in a gang-related attack, police said.

Jose Antonio Gomez-Uc was booked into the county jail on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon, possession of metal knuckles and participation in gang activity, according to jail records.

The investigation began last month, when police were called to Marin General Hospital to interview an assault victim, said San Rafael police Cpl. Todd Berringer. The victim's injuries included a broken nose and scrapes to his face and head.

The victim, an 18-year-old San Rafael resident, told police he was walking home on Canal Street when three men pulled up next to him in a beige truck. One of the men that said only members of a certain gang were allowed in the area, and asked whether the victim was a member.

When the victim said he was not, the men attacked, beating him with brass knuckles and then kicking him when he fell to the ground, Berringer said.

The victim, who was treated and released from the hospital, was able to identify one of the men from previous encounters. Police also found a cell phone at the scene and were able to link to it Gomez-Uc, who was arrested Thursday at an apartment on Canal Street, Berringer said.

In addition to the assault allegations, Gomez-Uc is being detained on a federal immigration hold pending an investigation into his citizenship status.

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