Two teens arrested for gang-related activity

Two DeKalb County teenagers were arrested last week for reportedly battering another local teen. DeKalb Police were informed Feb. 26 that a 15-year-old DeKalb male was reportedly battered earlier in the month at a Cortland residence, according to a news release from the police department. DeKalb Police obtained a videotape of the victim being battered by five other people. The incident reportedly occurred on Feb. 23 at 114 E. Clover Ave. in Cortland, according to the news release. The investigation reveal-ed that the beating was gang related and that the victim was associated with the offenders, according to the news release. The victim sustained minor injuries but didn't require medical attention, according to DeKalb Police. Warrants were obtained Thursday for Omar A. Serrano, 17, of Cortland and Alexis A. Ortega, 17, of DeKalb, and police plan to obtain warrants for two other juveniles involved in the incident. Serrano was arrested on Thursday in Cortland and charged with two counts of misdemeanor battery as well as compelling organization membership, a Class 2 felony that has to do with intimidation related to street gang recruitment, DeKalb Police Lt. Gary Spangler said during a phone interview Saturday. Serrano was transported to the DeKalb County Jail. Ortega was arrested Thursday in DeKalb and charged with compelling organization membership and two counts of misdemeanor battery. Ortega was processed at the DeKalb Police Department and released after posting $1,000 cash bond.