8 Valley Residents Arrested in Attack

Crime: Two men are assaulted leaving a West Hollywood cafe in what police say was an apparent case of ‘gay bashing.’

Eight San Fernando Valley residents were arrested Sunday after they allegedly used baseball bats and a golf club to assault two men as they walked out of a West Hollywood cafe, a sheriff’s sergeant said.

Witnesses called authorities shortly after midnight to report the attack, an apparent “gay bashing,” in front of a cafe in the 8900 block of Santa Monica Boulevard, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Sgt. John Baylis said.

The cafe is located in an area frequented by many gay residents, Baylis said.

After the incident, three men and five juveniles piled into two cars and fled, a witness told sheriff’s deputies. The suspects were arrested a few minutes later after deputies spotted their vehicles. Baylis said two baseball bats and a golf club were found in the cars.

Authorities identified the three men as Juan Huiza, 19, of North Hills; Marvin Henriquez, 20, of Van Nuys, and Guillermo Henriquez, 20, of Panorama City. They were booked on suspicion of civil rights violations and assault with a deadly weapon, Baylis said.

The five juveniles--whose ages ranged from 15 to 17--were released to their parents.

The victims have not been located, Baylis said.