On Friday, July 19, two friends, a male black adult and a male Hispanic adult, were confronted by Suspect Omar “Swifty” Chaparro,” a 20-year-old Hispanic male, as they walked down the 14800 Block of Jakes Way in Canyon Country.

Chapparo made several racial slurs towards the male black adult and challenged him to fight. As the suspect advanced towards the male black adult, his friend stepped in to protect him from the suspect. Suspect Chaparro and the Hispanic friend began to fight, and during the altercation, the suspect stabbed the friend once in the side. The suspect ran from the scene and escaped arrest at that time. The victim was treated at a local area hospital’s emergency room and released.

On Saturday, July 27, deputies from Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station Special Assignment Team (SAT Team) received information that the suspect was possibly hiding out at a location in the 6000 block of Gifford Place in the city of Bell. The deputies went to that location, conducted a surveillance of the home and while doing so, a man exited the house matching the description of the suspect.

They detained the man, confirmed his identity, and arrested him for the hate crime that occurred on July 19 without incident.