SANTA CRUZ — A Jamaican man was left seriously injured in what police said was a hate crime and physical assault in front of an Ocean Street motel in Santa Cruz early Sunday morning.

Cody Chavez. (Santa Cruz Police Department) 
The suspected attacker, San Jose resident Cody Chavez, 32, was arrested and booked for battery with serious bodily injury, violation of civil rights causing violent injury, and resisting arrest.

Police responded to a report of a fight in front of a motel on the 1400 block of Ocean Street shortly after 2:30 a.m. Sunday morning.

Officers investigating the incident determined the attack was unprovoked and reported the assailant used racial epithets toward the victim, who police described as a native of Jamaica.

Police said the victim was seriously injured in the attack and was transported to a trauma center for treatment.

“There is no place for this heinous behavior in our community, or our country, and we will not tolerate it,” said Deputy Chief of Police Bernie Escalante in a prepared release. “The Santa Cruz Police Department will do everything within our ability and authority to hold this person accountable through the criminal justice system. Our hearts go out to the victim and wish him a speedy recovery.”

Detectives continued to investigate to determine a motive for the attack Sunday.

Authorities did not immediately release a booking photo of Chavez, citing the need to show photographic lineups to witnesses.

Anyone with information about the case is encouraged to contact the Santa Cruz Police Department Investigations Unit at 831-420-5820.