LONG BEACH, Calif. --
Police in Southern California say a man who was punched in the face for saying he is gay is the latest victim in a string of attacks on gay men over the last 10 days.
Long Beach police have stepped up patrols in the area where the incidents occurred. The Long Beach Press-Telegram (http://bit.ly/nYnwO9 ) reports that among them was the July 24 attack on Martin Sanchez.
Detective Jackie Bezart says 21-year-old Jorge Ibarrias is charged with one count of felony battery and one count of a hate crime. He is accused of approaching Sanchez in a group of friends and hitting him after asking if they were gay.
No suspects have been arrested in the other attacks on gay men that took place on July 27 and July 31.
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Information from: Press-Telegram, http://www.presstelegram.com
