NAPA, CA — The Napa Police Department recently arrested five teens in connection with a series of violent assaults that took place in the city over several months in 2024. The suspects, which include four 16-year-olds and an 18-year-old who was 17 at the time of the incidents, were taken into custody on March 13. They have been booked into Napa County Juvenile Hall on charges of assault with a deadly weapon, battery with serious bodily injury, and conspiracy.
The assaults, which were reported between May and November 2024, involved multiple victims, though each attack appeared unrelated. However, after an extensive investigation by the NPD Youth Services Bureau, it was determined that the same group of juveniles was responsible for each of the violent incidents. According to Acting Napa Police Sergeant Kyle Cadena, the investigation revealed a troubling pattern in which the suspects repeatedly targeted individuals in different areas of Napa.
The first reported assault occurred on May 25, when Napa police responded to a call about a violent altercation in the downtown area. Two victims reported that they had been attacked by a group of approximately eight juveniles following a dispute over a parking space. The victims suffered severe head and facial injuries, with one victim reporting being repeatedly struck in the head.
Another assault took place on August 18 in the same downtown area, where two victims were assaulted by a group of 8-10 juveniles. One of the victims sustained a broken jaw, while the other suffered facial injuries. Like the previous attack, the suspects were unknown to the victims.
The third assault occurred on November 3 in north Napa. A juvenile victim reported being confronted by a group of 12-13 juveniles, among whom was a suspect known to the victim. The victim was attacked and suffered a broken nose.
The arrests mark a significant breakthrough in the investigation, which was initially met with difficulty due to the high number of suspects involved and the nature of the assaults. While the cases involved unrelated victims, the investigation has led to the identification of the group responsible for the violence.
The suspects face serious charges, and their cases are likely to have significant legal ramifications, especially considering their ages. The Napa Police Department has not disclosed whether additional arrests are expected in connection with the incidents, but the investigation is ongoing. Authorities are urging anyone with further information to come forward.
These recent arrests highlight an increasing concern over juvenile violence in the area, as Napa continues to grapple with incidents involving young offenders.