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Police Arrest 2 Suspects In Cab Driver Assault

WEST SACRAMENTO (CBS13) -- Police have arrested two suspects who were behind the hate crime attack of a taxi cab driver.

Pedro Ramirez, 41, and Johnny Morales, 33, turned themselves over to the police after a five day long manhunt. 

Both were arrested on charges of felony assault with a deadly weapon and commission of a hate crime.

The suspects were booked into the Yolo County Jail, and Ramirez is being held on $150,000 bail.

Police in West Sacramento worked with federal investigators to catch the suspects.

On November 28, Harbhajan Singh, picked up two men near Harlow's in midtown who threatened to kill him and demanded money, say police. He was then forced to drive to West Sacramento where he handed over money and was viciously beaten. Singh says he thought he was going to die.

This morning, West Sacramento SWAT officers and detectives raided a home in the 3500 block of Binghamton Drive in Sacramento looking for the suspect, Pedro Antonio Ramirez, 41, and evidence linking Ramirez to the assault. He was not home. Police say they think Ramirez knew he was being eyed by police and was hiding with family members or friends.

Singh believes the assault was motivated by religion.

"Sometimes they do it, asking, 'Are you Osama Bin Laden?'" said co-worker Ricky Singh.

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