CLEARLAKE, Calif. – Two Clearlake men were injured last week in a fight that ensued after one of them is alleged to have broken into the other’s home.
Sgt. Nick Bennett of the Clearlake Police Department said officers took Jesus Vazquez, age unknown, into custody after he allegedly broke into the home of 23-year-old Alvaro Jimenez last Friday, Dec. 14.
On Dec. 14 officers responded to a residence located on Baylis Avenue on the report of a male subject being beaten outside of the residence. The reporting party’s husband left to assist the male, Bennett said.
When officers arrived, they located Jimenez standing outside of his residence with blood on his face and hands after what appeared to have been an altercation, Bennett said.
Bennett said Jimenez reported his residence had been broken into and pointed toward his residence. Officers approached the home and observed a trail of blood leading into it. They went inside but did not locate anyone.
After further interview of Jimenez he reported that his residence had been burglarized the previous day. Bennett said Jimenez reported that he stayed home on Dec. 14 to prevent the suspect of the burglary coming back to his residence.
On Dec. 14 Jimenez woke to find Clearlake resident Vazquez inside of his bedroom, Bennett said. Jimenez confronted Vazquez and a struggle ensued.
At one point, Vazquez retrieved a piece of rebar from the ground and began to strike Jimenez with it. Bennett said Jimenez was able to disarm Vazquez and began to strike him with the rebar.
Vazquez was last seen running from the residence. Bennett said Jimenez refused medical assistance on scene and was transported to St. Helena Hospital Clearlake by a family friend.
After checking the area, officers located Vazquez in a creek bed behind the residence. Bennett said Vazquez had a major laceration to his hand with his thumb partially severed.
Medical staff responded and transported Vazquez to St. Helena Hospital Clear Lake. Due to the extent of the injuries to Vazquez’s hand, he was flown to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital and eventually transported to Stanford Hospital for reconstructive surgery to his hand, Bennett said.
The investigation is continuing into this incident. Anyone with information in regard to this or any other case is encouraged to contact the Clearlake Police Department at 707-994-8251.