Beating of Homeless Man Results in 2 Arrests

Two Novato neighbors stand as suspects in the beating and attempted robbery of a homeless man not far from the suspects' homes, police said.

Ronald DeLeon, 52, and Miguel Aguerrebere, 31, were arrested in the 500 block of Fernando Drive, just a few hundred yards from where a violent incident took place early Tuesday morning at a homeless encampment, according to Lt. Keith Heiden.

At 4:44 a.m., police received an emergency call about a man being beaten in the area of 100 Rowland Way, at the railroad bridge that goes over Novato Creek, Heiden said. The 49-year-old man, who had been living in a tent, had been approached by two suspects who threatened him. The man ran away and, upon his return, saw the suspects destroying his property, according to an eyewitness account.

The homeless man was kicked in the head and held under water several times, the police report said. When officers arrived, the man was unconscious and the suspects were gone. The man was taken to an area hospital to be treated for facial fractures and was later released.

Investigators learned that the beaten man knew one of the suspects, leading them to the 500 block of Fernando, just off Davidson Drive. The arrests took place at about 7:30 p.m. Tuesday.

Aguerrebere faces felony charges of assault with a deadly weapon, attempted robbery, conspiracy to commit a crime, making criminal threatens and dissuading a witness. DeLeon faces counts of assault and conspiracy.