Suspects Arraigned in Brutal Beating in Barstow

BARSTOW – A second suspect, caught by police early Sunday morning, faced arraignment today in the brutal beating of a man at a motel on April 11.

Richard "Kaos" Harris

Richard “Kaos” Harris, 31, and Lamont “Squirrel” Bluitt, 40, are charged with kicking and punching Michael Dudzinski in the head during a robbery attempt at the Desert Inn Motel on the 1100 block of East Main Street. Dudzinski, 59, who was left unconscious and suffering from head trauma and facial bleeding, is listed in critical condition at Loma Linda University Medical Center. Police said he is expected to survive.

The suspects were charged with attempted robbery and assault by means of force likely to produce great bodily injury – both “strikeable” offenses under California’s 3 strikes law. Both men are also charged with criminal street gang participation, a felony.

Police, which had originally received the call at 11:38 p.m. on April 11, responded and discovered Dudzinski unconscious and bleeding at the scene. Bluitt was arrested shortly before 8 a.m. the day after the incident, said police, and pleaded not guilty to all charges on April 16. He is scheduled to appear on Tuesday for a preliminary hearing.

The Desert Inn in Barstow was the scene of the assault and robbery

Harris, who suffered a stab wound to his lower left torso from Dudzinski during the robbery attempt, was located and arrested on Williams Street at 2:16 a.m. on Sunday. Harris, who claimed self defense, was initially treated at Barstow Community Hospital, said police. The suspect left the emergency room against medical advice from hospital personnel before investigators were able to connect him to the crimes, according to Lt. Mike Hunter.

Both suspects are being held at West Valley Detention Center in Rancho Cucamonga on $1 million bail.

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