Two people tied up, badly beaten in home

An Escondido man was found and arrested in Texas this past week after two people were tied up and beaten in a home he owns in rural East County, a sheriff ’s official said.

One of the victims, a 69year-old man, was in grave condition after the attack, sheriff ’s homicide Lt. Thomas Seiver said.

According to Seiver, the incident started not long before midnight Sept. 18 in a home on Great Southern Overland Route, also known as county road S2, in Shelter Valley, a small community west of Anza-borrego Desert State Park.

Seiver said the 45-yearold suspect, identified as Juan Luis Gonzales, tied up and beat his 47-year-old girlfriend and the man, who was an acquaintance of his. Gonzales then fled the home, which he owns although he lives in Escondido.

About 2:45 a.m. the next morning — roughly three hours after the attack started — the woman was able to get free of the restraints and go to a neighbor for help, Seiver said.

Both victims were hospitalized. The woman has since been released, but the man remained hospitalized as of Friday, Seiver said. The man’s injuries are considered life-threatening.

The San Diego Regional Fugitive Task Force coordinated the search for Gonzales, Seiver said. On Monday evening Border Patrol agents in Hudspeth County in Texas, east of El Paso, encountered him at a checkpoint. He was arrested and booked into jail.

Seiver said officials are working extradite him back to San Diego County.

teri.figueroa@sduniontribune.com