CARLSBAD - Three documented gang members were arrested Thursday in connection with an unprovoked stabbing of a deaf man earlier this month, Lt. Kelly Cain said.

Two 18-year-old suspects, Edgar Zepeda and Jesus Hernandez, were booked into Vista Detention Center and charged with attempted murder, violating a gang injunction and conspiracy. A third 16-year-old suspect faces the latter two charges and is accused of throwing a rock at the victim's car that started the incident.

The attack occurred Dec. 6 at Harding Street and Palm Avenue after the victim, Joseph Torres of Oceanside, confronted a small group of Latino men he accused of throwing rocks at his car. He was driving through the neighborhood looking for a house where he was to purchase an item off the auction site ebay.

After a short conversation with the suspects, he called police to report the rocks thrown at his car.

With police en route, another group of about four Latino men approached, he told police. Torres' two companions warned him the men were carrying knives, but Torres is deaf and couldn't hear them. One suspect is accused of punching Torres in the face then stabbing him multiple times with a four-inch blade, Cain said.

Torres was taken to Scripps La Jolla Hospital in San Diego, where he is still recovering, Cain said.