Police searching for San Jose suspect and motive in the brutal
assault
Morgan Hill Police are still trying to determine why a 32-year-old man was severely beaten in his Morgan Hill home for no apparent reason just after midnight on Monday.
Ramon Garcia was asleep in his bedroom when he was assaulted, resulting in major injuries including a broken jaw, internal bleeding in his brain, facial lacerations and dislodged teeth.
He was still listed in guarded condition at Valley Medical Center Thursday.
“This was a particularly vicious beating, and at this point, we don’t know what the motive was,” Morgan Hill Police Chief Bruce Cumming said Friday. “This is unusual for that neighborhood, Peak (Avenue) and Claremont (Drive). It was very odd, and we hope to be able to put the pieces together soon.”
Police are now searching for Guillermo N. Grimaldo, 22, of San Jose as a suspect in the attack.
Cpl. Dave Leonard said Friday that the officer who took the report was unavailable for comment, but it appeared as though Garcia rents a room at the residence. He said the police report suggested another person living in the house let Grimaldo in before the attack occurred.
“There is no indication anywhere in the report that entry to the residence was forced,” he said.
Leonard said the residents of the home knew Grimaldo and told police he was responsible for the attack. Garcia, though his injuries left him unable to speak, confirmed he was assaulted by Grimaldo.
Leonard said the attack appeared to be a family issue and police do not believe it was gang or drug related.
According to the police report, Garcia was asleep at the residence when Grimaldo allegedly punched him in the face, waking him up. Police said Grimaldo allegedly continued to hit Garcia after the initial punch, but they do not know how long the beating lasted or why it stopped.
Police attempts to locate Grimaldo have thus far come up empty handed, Cumming said.
“Officers went to his place of employment, and he didn’t show up,” he said.
Additional leads and the motive for the attack are under investigation. Anyone with information about the attack or the whereabouts of Grimaldo is asked to call MHPD at 779-2101 or Crime Stoppers at 778-STOP (7867) to remain anonymous.
Marilyn Dubil covers education and law enforcement for The Times. She can be reached by e-mail at md****@**************es.com or at (408)779-4106 Ext. 202.
