Deputies arrest Waterford stabbing suspect in Empire

Three schools were locked down Wednesday after Stanislaus County sheriff's deputies tracked two stabbing suspects to Empire.

Sgt. Anthony Bejaran said two men went to a home in the 12000 block of Pecan Avenue in Waterford about 10 a.m. Wednesday. When a man answered the door, the visitors forced their way into the home and waited for a second resident to return.

When he did, the two attacked the man, beating him and stabbing him multiple times, Bejaran said. The roommate who answered the door earlier tried to intervene, but the assailants attacked him as well.

The attackers fled, and the victims called police.

The stabbing victim was taken to a hospital, where he was treated for injuries not considered life-threatening.

A witness gave deputies a description of the men's vehicle, which they found parked in an undisclosed location in Empire about 10:30 a.m.

The suspects fled from the home near where the car was parked, and deputies set up a perimeter to search for them, Bejaran said.

For precautionary reasons, Empire Elementary School, Aspire Vanguard College Preparatory Academy and Glick Middle School were ordered locked down.

After an hour of searching, deputies located one of the suspects hiding in a field, Bejaran said. The 38-year-old Empire man was booked at Stanislaus County Jail on suspicion of attempted murder and home invasion.

Bejaran was still awaiting the man's identification.

Deputies continued to search for the second man, but he was not located. The search was called off about 1 p.m., and the lockdown for all three schools was lifted.

Bejaran said deputies identified the second suspect only as "Joel." He is described as white, 6 feet tall, 200 pounds, with short dark hair and a mustache. He was last seen wearing blue jeans and a black hooded sweat shirt.

Police ask anyone with information about the stabbing to call Crime Stoppers at (209) 521-4636. Tipsters can e-mail through the Crime Stoppers Web site, www.stancrimetips.org, or text tips to CRIMES (274637) by typing "Tip704" plus a message.

Bee staff writer Erin Tracy can be reached at etracy@modbee.com or (209) 578-2366.