A probationer accused of stabbing a transient in Lake Elsinore while stealing clothing from him was charged Friday with assault resulting in great bodily injury.
Richard Rodriguez, 28, was arrested Wednesday, a day after the attack in the 18000 block of Collier Avenue. He is being held in lieu of $30,000 bail at the Byrd Detention Center and is slated to make his initial court appearance Friday afternoon at the Southwest Justice Center in Murrieta.
According to sheriff’s Sgt. James Woodland, the victim was sleeping in the area of Collier and Riverside Drive about 5 a.m. Tuesday when the defendant allegedly grabbed some of the clothing that the homeless man had with him. When the victim awoke, Rodriguez stabbed him in the arm and fled, Woodland alleged.
He said deputies were called to the scene, at which point the victim — whose name was withheld — identified the defendant as his alleged attacker. The following afternoon, deputies spotted Rodriguez walking in the area of Collier and Nichols Road, where he was taken into custody without a struggle.
According to court records, Rodriguez has prior misdemeanor convictions for possession of a controlled substance and being under the influence of a controlled substance.
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