Local briefs

The U.S. Coast Guard is honoring two Bay Area guardsman at the San Francisco International Airport today with separate awards for their efforts that helped save more than 50 people in the last two years.

Lt. Cmdr. Eric Smith is receiving a Distinguished Flying Cross, the country’s oldest military aviation award, for his efforts in rescuing 39 people during the Pacific Northwest floods of 2007.

Petty Officer Robert Custer is receiving the Coast Guard Achievement Medal, an award established by former U.S. Secretary of Treasury Douglas Dillon in 1964, for his efforts in rescuing 26 people from a grounded yacht in San Mateo in December.

The two are receiving their awards at 1:45 p.m. from Admiral Paul Zukunft at the Coast Guard’s air station in building 1020 at the airport.

Man arrested for trying to kill older brother

A man was arrested early Thursday morning and booked into jail on suspicion of attempting to murder his older brother, according to the Pacifica Police Department.

By the time Chinedu Okobi, 26, appeared in court Friday afternoon, prosecutors altered the charge to assault with a deadly weapon. He pleaded not guilty and returns to court Feb. 11 for a preliminary hearing.

Okobi was arrested after olice units responded to a home in the 100 block of Eastridge Circle at about 1:30 a.m. and found a 28-year-old man, claiming he was stabbed by his brother, suffering from several wounds, according to police.

The victim’s brother, Okobi, contacted by officers at the same residence, was immediately taken into custody, according to police.

Emergency medical personnel from the North County Fire Authority treated the victim at the home, police reported. He was then taken to San Francisco General Hospital for further treatment.

Police could not immediately confirm the victim’s condition.

Okobi also received medical attention at the home in Pacifica and at San Francisco General for a cut on his hand. Once cleared by medical staff, Okobi was booked at San Mateo County Jail.

Market worker delays hearing for alleged attack on coworker

A South San Francisco market stock boy accused of locking a female coworker in the store freezer for two minutes before entering and trying to pull off her clothing will learn in March if he’ll stand trial on four felonies, a judge ruled Friday after a preliminary hearing.

Esgar Rudy Gonzalez, 22, of Daly City, has pleaded not guilty to charges of sexual battery, assault with the intent to rape, false imprisonment and felony assault. He was scheduled for a preliminary hearing Friday but it was postponed until March 11 after the defense sought more time to prepare.

Gonzalez was arrested after a female coworker reported that on Jan. 18 he locked her inside a freezer after she entered to put away her lunch. He then reportedly entered the freezer, pushed her onto some boxes and tried pulling off her clothing. A co-worker heard the woman fighting and saw Gonzalez flee the freezer with the victim in pursuit, kicking at him, said Chief Deputy District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe.

The woman was hesitant to report the incident at first but the incident was caught on the store’s surveillance camera, he said.

Gonzalez reportedly denied any wrongdoing, saying all that happened was a hug between them.

Gonzalez remains in custody in lieu of $50,000 bail.