Good intentions were costly in fight at Menlo Park 7-11 Good intentions were costly in fight at Menlo Park 7-11 (January 25, 2006)

By David Boyce

Almanac Staff Writer

Virtue is said to be its own reward. That adage likely has a rueful edge to it for two men -- one from Atherton and one from Novato -- who got more than they bargained for around 2 a.m. Thursday, January 19, when they tried to break up a fight in the parking lot of the 7-11 convenience store at the corner of Oak Grove Avenue and Alma Street in Menlo Park.

The Atherton man, 21, appeared to escape serious injury but the 25-year-old Novato man suffered wounds to his face, including a laceration above his right eye, a large gash near the corner of his mouth, and unknown injuries to his foot when a vehicle was driven over it, said Sgt. Matt Bacon of the Menlo Park Police Department.

Police arrested and jailed four Redwood City men on charges that included assault with a deadly weapon and mayhem (for inflicting disabling or disfiguring injuries to a person's body or face). The suspects are Eduardo Maldonado, 25; Sergio Maldonado, 21; Robert Sanchez, 25; and Angelo Ornelas, 24.

Police are not releasing the victim's names out of concern for their protection. Race information on the victims was unavailable, but it is not thought to be a factor, police said.

The incident began when a man in a parked car outside the store complained after a car carrying five men parked next to him and bumped his car when they opened a door, police said.

The men began assaulting the complaining man, who was still in his car. The Novato man went over and tried to break it up and four of the assailants turned their attention to him, punching and kicking him, police said.

Seeing the Novato man's plight, the Atherton man walked over to intervene but was attacked from behind and thrown into a garbage can, police said. Meanwhile, the original victim drove off and has not been located, police said.

The assailants fled but were caught by police a short time later.

Police are asking anyone with information or who may have witnessed this incident to call officers Mary Ferguson or Steve Kopp at 330-6300, or call the anonymous tip line at 330-6395.

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