April 22, 2008 — Susanville police officers arrested two individuals allegedly connected to a stabbing that occurred in Memorial Park just after 10 p.m. on Saturday, April 12. Officers arriving on scene found 18-year-old Zachary Allen Dotson near the park with 10 stab wounds. The suspects fled the scene before the police arrived.

An ambulance transported Dotson to Banner Lassen Medical Center. He was then airlifted to Renown Medical Center in Reno for his injuries, where he was treated and eventually released from the hospital.

Possible suspects were identified through the police department’s investigation, which lead to an arrest warrant being issued for one of the suspects on Monday, April 14.

Lassen Superior Court Judge Donald Sokol, issued a warrant for 25-year-old Susanville resident Eugene Aguilar with bail set at $500,000.

The investigation on the case continued while the warrant was being issued, according to a press release from the department. The investigation eventually pointed to an apartment at 500 Limoneria, where police arrested Aguilar.

When the police arrived, Aguilar surrendered without incident. While at the scene, officers identified a second suspect in the apartment, 20-year-old Susanville resident Jon Edward Caldwell. Caldwell was arrested on two unrelated warrants, and according to the press release, subsequently arrested in connection with the stabbing.

Both suspects here booked into the Lassen County Jail.

Aguilar is being held on a total of $530,000 bail for the warrant and a charge of commercial burglary in a separate case. Caldwell is being held on a charge of conspiracy in the case, along with burglary in a separate case and his two outstanding warrants. Caldwell’s bail is being held at $61,750.

Susanville Police Captain said the stabbing stemmed from a previous incident between some of the suspects and Dotson, resulting in the incident in the park.

Downing also said Aguilar was involved in a previous incident on Saturday, March 29, when he allegedly stole a car from a woman living in a Limoneria Street apartment complex. The woman’s grandson reportedly saw the man take off with her vehicle.

SPD Sergeant Mike Haldane added that Aguilar was also known by the street name of Magic and that he was a gang member from San Jose, Calif.

While the car was recovered a few days later, Aguilar was still at large, until his arrested in connection to the stabbing incident. At the time of his alleged car theft, police were told Aguilar would try to kill himself if he was ever caught.

“Our patrol officers have done a really good job running this guy down,” said Police Chief Jeff Atkinson. “They put in a lot of hard work and located suspects without the assistance of a detective and for that they should be commended.”

The police department’s investigation is still ongoing, as Downing said the department is following up on leads that indicate there might still be at least one other subject involved in the stabbing.

Anyone with information on the incident is encouraged to contact the department at 257-2171. Callers can remain anonymous.