James Ray Mooney, 21, and a 17-year-old male from Ukiah were arrested after attacking an 18-year-old male Lakeport resident, said Lakeport Police Lt. Brad Rasmussen.
A third suspect, 18-year-old Carlos Jesus Casillas of Lakeport, was identified as a suspect and is wanted for questioning for assault with a deadly weapon, Rasmussen said.
At approximately 12:19 p.m. Thursday Lake County Central Dispatch received 911 calls regarding a physical fight and assault involving a large group of male subjects in the area of N. Brush and First streets, he said.
Rasmussen said six officers were on duty Thursday – including those assigned to investigation – and they responded to the scene, where they contacted witnesses and the victim. The suspects allegedly fled the scene in a vehicle.
The victim, said Rasmussen, was known to the suspects but police have no information that he is connected to any gangs.
The investigation determined that approximately five to seven male subjects with ties to the Norteño street gang went to the location with the intent of assaulting the lone victim, who Rasmussen said was beaten with hands, feet and at least one blunt object.
“It appears to be a planned attack,” said Rasmussen.
He added, “Fortunately, witnesses quickly called the police. We were on scene in a couple of minutes.”
He said the victim received minor to moderate injuries to his nose and forehead, and was treated at the scene by Lakeport Fire Department Paramedics.
Rasmussen said Lakeport Police officers quickly identified two suspects who are known Norteño gang members and responded to a residence where one of the suspects is known to live. There, they located the involved vehicle parked in the driveway.
When the residence's occupants refused to open the door, Rasmussen said officers had to force entry into the home and conduct a protective sweep.
Once inside, they found Mooney – who has numerous previous arrests in both Lake and Mendocino counties – and the Ukiah teenager and arrested both, Rasmussen said.
Mooney was booked for assault with a deadly weapon, criminal conspiracy, criminal street gang enhancements and committing a felony with a dangerous weapon causing injury, Rasmussen said.
He said the Ukiah juvenile was booked for assault with a deadly weapon, criminal conspiracy, criminal street gang enhancements, committing a felony with a dangerous weapon causing injury, resisting, delaying and obstructing a peace officer, providing false information to a peace officer and threatening a peace officer.
Rasmussen said Lakeport Police have been aware of the alleged suspects in the case who are local and have made regular contacts with them. On Wednesday night, officers were attempting to contact some of them due to suspicious activity.
There has not been much gang-related activity in some time, Rasmussen said.
The last series of gang attacks took place in 2007, including a March stabbing near Library Park and an assault along 11th Street a few months later, as Lake County News has reported.
Many major area gang members who were involved in those attacks ended up going to prison, police previously reported.
E-mail Elizabeth Larson at
How to resolve AdBlock issue? 
