Police arrested the second man being sought in connection with what investigators call the hate crime stabbing of a man at a Ventura County mosque.
Simi Valley Police detectives, and a SWAT team arrested Marco De la Cruz at a home on the 1500 block of Kearney Avenue early this morning. The 26 year old man was arrested without incident on four counts ranging from assault with a deadly weapon to making criminal threats. Detectives say he is a gang member with a long criminal history.
Investigators say on Saturday night, De la Cruz and John Matteson approached people leaving a mosque on Erringer Road in Simi Valley. The men asked to use a rest room, and after being told the mosque was closed, witnesses say the duo began making racist comments, and started a fight.
Detectives believe De la Cruz then stabbed one of the victims. The man suffered a non-life threatening injury. Matteson was arrested right after the attack.