STRANDED MOTORIST ATTACKED IN NEWTON

By: Jon Mayhew

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Severo Martinez Martinez .. ...,,,,,,. . . Jose Lopez Gomez ...

NEWTON - A motorist with car trouble claims he was assaulted by a total of five hispanic males in two separate incidents. The suspects are in the Catawba County Jail on several charges.

Omar Hernandez Martinez

The incident happened early Sunday around 2 a.m. Justin Daniel Delaney told police his vehicle had broke down on East 20th Street and was walking home. That's when the assault took place.

Julio Gomez Hernandez

Delaney said four hsipanic males, driving in the area of East 20th Street and Rankin Avenue, put him in the trunk of their Honda and transported him to a residence on North College Avenue. Delaney was able to esape, albeit briefly. The suspects caught up with him on 11th Street, where they assaulted him further, taking his wallet. During the first attack, a Hispanic male drove up and threatened Delaney with a handgun.

Severo Martinez Martinez, Jr.

Delaney was again able to run, this time getting as far as East B Street, where he called 911. Police responded to the residence on East B Street to find Delaney. Police were able to locate the suspects on North College Avenue.
With Mr. Delaney's help, we were able to locate the suspects on North College Ave.

All five suspects were charged with felony first degree kidnapping and felony common law robbery. All suspects were placed in jail under a $300,000 bond each.