Man cleared in hate crime case A...

Man cleared in hate crime case

A Huntington Beach man arrested last week on suspicion of

participating in the February hate crime assault at a local fast food

restaurant has been cleared of any wrongdoing.

Police eliminated Christopher Garrett, 22, as a suspect in the

crime on May 20 after confirming his alibi. Police interviewed

Garrett’s girlfriend after his May 18 arrest and learned he had been

with her when the beating took place, Sgt. Darin Lenyi said.

Four suspects are believed to still be at large after Mohamed

Fares, 33, of Los Angeles was beaten at the Jack in the Box on South

Coast Highway by two men who reportedly used anti-gay insults during

the assault. Fares’ companion, Curtis Fox, 36 of Mission Viejo,

avoided the attackers and called police. Fares suffered injuries to

his head and face.

Police have descriptions of the two men who reportedly punched and

kicked Fares. The first is described as a white man in his 20s,

weighing about 180 pounds. He reportedly wore a blue baseball cap and

white T-shirt during the attack. Police described the second suspect

as a black or Latino man in his mid-20s, weighing 185 pounds, who

wore a dark-colored shirt and jeans the night of the assault. A third

man and a woman are also believed to have been with the two

assailants during the attack. The suspects reportedly drove away in a

silver SUV that was possibly followed by a silver Honda Accord or

Civic.

Anyone with information on the crime may call Det. Paul

Litchenburg at (949) 497-0758.