CLEARLAKE, Calif. – Police this week arrested a man for a hate crime after he assaulted a local religious leader at a city store.

Michael Munoz, 49, was arrested Wednesday afternoon, according to Sgt. Rodd Joseph of the Clearlake Police Department.

Just before 12:30 p.m. Wednesday Officer Mike Ray began an investigation at the police department, where a local religious leader had gone to report being assaulted while performing religious activities near Rays Food Place, located at 15930 Dam Road, Joseph said.

Joseph said the victim reported he was there with another church member promoting their religious beliefs when they were approached by a former church member whom they know as Munoz.

During the encounter, Munoz began arguing with the victim about why he was no longer with the church. Joseph said the conversation became heated and Munoz became aggressive.

At that point, the victim asked Munoz to leave. When Munoz refused, the victim began dialing 911 on his cellular phone to call for police assistance. Prior to completing the 9-1-1 call, Munoz grabbed the phone from the victim and smashed it on the ground, Joseph said.

Joseph said Munoz then punched the victim in the face with a closed fist, causing injuries.

After striking the victim, Munoz left the area and the victim traveled to the police department to report the crime. The victim provided a description of the suspect which was disseminated to other officers, Joseph said.

Police Chief Craig Clausen and Lt. Tim Celli drove to the area near Rays Food Place and located a male subject matching Munoz’s physical description near the intersections of Dam Road and Dam Road Extension, according to Joseph.

Clausen and Celli contacted Munoz, who Joseph said initially was uncooperative and resisted them.

Joseph said the victim subsequently completed an in-field show-up and positively identified Munoz as his attacker.

Munoz was arrested for two misdemeanor violations of interfering with a 911 call to police and vandalism, Joseph said.

During questioning, Munoz denied assaulting the victim or damaging the victim’s cellular phone. Munoz did admit to arguing with the religious leader over Munoz’s belief that the church’s publications were promoting demonic beliefs, Joseph said.

Based on this additional information and the totality of the incident, Joseph said Munoz additionally was charged with a felony hate crime and booked into the Lake County Jail.

Anyone who may have witnessed this incident is asked to contact Clearlake Police Officer Mike Ray, the investigating officer, at 707-994-8251, Extension 504.