Police look to arrest two teens over Pierce County attacks

Police in Pierce County were searching Monday for two teenagers in connection with a string of attacks last month on 23 people at Fort Steilacoom Park.

Arrest warrants have been issued for Patrick Valenzuela, 19, and Ryder Fox Dowling, 16. The two are each charged with three counts of first-degree robbery and six counts of second-degree assault.

Dowling will face charges as an adult, said Pierce County Deputy Prosecutor Phil Sorensen. The Seattle Times generally does not name juvenile suspects unless they are charged as adults.

"These two are the third bunch we're charging from the same incident," Sorensen said. Five other people were arrested previously in connection with the attacks.

Court documents indicate Valenzuela and Dowling were the last two suspects authorities were searching for in connection with the assaults and robberies.

According to court documents, a group of seven allegedly involved in the attacks approached people at the Lakewood park with machetes and stole cash, cellphones, purses, keys and a wallet. Some of the victims also were assaulted, Sorensen said, with one woman being hit on the side of the head with a machete.

The seven allegedly told their victims they were "Juggalos" — fans of the Insane Clown Posse, a Detroit-based heavy-metal/rap duo known for heavy face paint and a penchant for professional wrestling.

The five suspects already arrested remained in Pierce County Jail on Monday in lieu of bail. They are expected to face trial late next month.

Sorensen said Dowling previously was convicted on weapons charges stemming from an incident at the Tacoma Mall after which he also told police he was a Juggalo.

"He could be a repeat Juggalo offender," Sorensen said.

Nathan Hurst: 206-464-2112 or nhurst@seattletimes.com