One man arrested, one sought in taco truck beating of three

By ROSALIO AHUMADA
rahumada@modbee.com

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Police arrested one man and were looking for a second man who are suspected of severely beating a man and two women early Saturday near a taco truck in downtown Modesto before stealing the victims' sport utility vehicle.

About 3:30 a.m., police said, a married couple and their friend, all from Modesto, were attacked near Eighth and I streets as they tried to leave in an SUV.

Modesto police Sgt. Ed Steele said the victims were treated for serious injuries, and one of the women had to be hospitalized.

Police did not release the victims' names or discuss their condition to ensure their safety.

Zucre Oswald Iniguez, 36, of Oakland was arrested on suspicion of carjacking and failing to register as a sex offender, Steele said.

Saturday evening, he said a second suspect had not been found.

Police said the victims had stopped at the taco truck to buy food.

While waiting in line, the attackers made sexually aggressive physical contact with the victim's wife, Steele said.

The victims got in the SUV, but before they could drive away, the attackers pulled the victims from the vehicle.

Steele said the attackers punched and kicked the victims before they stole the SUV.

About two hours after the attack, Tracy police officers spotted the victims' stolen SUV in Tracy and conducted a traffic stop. Steele said Iniguez was the only person in the vehicle, and he was taken into custody.

Modesto police ask anyone with information about this attack to call Detective Phil Owen at 572-9551. Bee staff writer Rosalio Ahumada can be reached at rahumada@modbee.com or 578-2394.