Crime & Safety

DA's Office Charges Suspects in Alleged Bicyclist Attack

The two men faces charges of threats and assault with a deadly weapon.

The San Mateo County District Attorney's Office has filed charges against two men accused of intentionally trying to a pair of teenage brothers on their bicycles in San Mateo on Sunday.

Jason Ramiro Hernandez-Lopez, 24, and Dian Burton, 31, both San Mateo residents, were arrested Sunday following the incident in the area of Fourth Avenue and Grant Street.

Witnesses reported two suspects in a gold pickup truck were harassing two male juveniles on bicycles, San Mateo Police Sgt. Dave Norris said.

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According to prosecutors, Hernandez-Lopez drove up behind one of the brothers, ages 15 and 17, who were riding on their bikes and intentionally bumped the rear tire of the bicycle with his truck.

The victim didn't fall, but instead turned onto the sidewalk area to escape and dropped his bicycle.

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Hernandez-Lopez then allegedly drove onto the sidewalk and over the bicycle, which he dragged behind his pickup truck for several blocks, causing significant damage to the bicycle, prosecutors said.

While Hernandez-Lopez was driving over the bike, Burton, who was in the passenger seat, allegedly pulled out a fixed-blade knife and waved the knife at the brothers, according to prosecutors.

Witnesses took down the truck's license plate number and police were able to apprehend the suspects shortly after.

Hernandez-Lopez has claimed the teenage brothers were swinging chains at them as they drove by, and that he never struck or dragged the bicycle. Burton denies the incident occurred.

Hernandez-Lopez on Monday pleaded not guilty to charges of assault with a deadly weapon and vandalism. He remains in San Mateo County Jail in lieu of $50,000 bail.

Burton denied entering a plea on Monday to misdemeanor charge of making threats, and instead requested to be released on his own recognizance. The court was scheduled to hear his request Tuesday afternoon.

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