Family dispute in Watsonville leads to multiple injuries and arrests

A family dispute in Watsonville Sunday night sent two people to the hospital and several others to jail.

Watsonville police were dispatched around 10 p.m. to 34 Miles Lane for report of a disturbance.

They found Carlos Maldonado Senior with a severe head injury, including a fractured skull. He was transported to a Bay Area hospital for treatment.

While on scene, officers were sent to Marin Street — just a block away –for a report of another disturbance. There, they found Jose Manuel Lua suffering from multiple stab wounds. He was transported to the Watsonville hospital.

Police investigators determined both incidents derived from an ongoing family feud.

Around 5 p.m. that day, Lua and Carlos Maldonado Jr. were involved in a fist fight at the Marin Street address. Later that night, Manuel Vega, Ivan Calderon, Patrick Isidro, two male juveniles, and possibly Lua Sr, went to 34 Miles Lane.

Police say that when they got there, they assaulted the family members at the home with bats and metal pipes, and one suspect brandished a gun at the Maldonado family.

Soon after, Carlos Maldonado Jr. and Juan Maldonado returned to the Marin Street address, broke the front window, kicked in the front door and stabbed Lua.

Officers later arrested Maldonado Jr., Miguel Vega, Ivan Calderon, Patrick Isidro and a 17-year-old boy.

The teen boy was in possession of methamphetamine, police said. The five suspects were booked into Santa Cruz County Jail and Juvenile Hall, respectively.

Charges were also requested for Lua, who police believe was involved in one of the earlier assaults prior to being stabbed.

Juan Maldonado and a 16-year-old boy are wanted for questioning and remain outstanding.

Anyone with information about this case in encouraged to call the Watsonville Police Department at 768-3352 of the Crime Tip line at 768-3544.