A man suspected of stabbing a stranger near Westfield UTC mall, prompting a SWAT response hours later when authorities believed they had tracked him down, was arrested Thursday in the East Village.
Odie James Miller, 20, allegedly attacked a 44-year-old man without provocation in the area of Renaissance Avenue and Towne Centre Drive in University City shortly after noon Wednesday, according to San Diego Police. The victim suffered non-life-threatening stab wounds to his head, neck, torso, arms and hands.
Early this morning, the suspect, who also sometimes goes by last name Milwerder, was believed to be holed up inside a home in the 4300 block of Rolando Boulevard, near College and University avenues, SDPD Officer Frank Cali said.
Police went to the residence shortly before 2:30 a.m. and called in a special weapons and tactics squad a short time later. The SWAT personnel eventually entered and found that Miller was not there. It was unclear if he had ever been inside the home.
About 10:40 a.m., officers tracked down the suspect at Broadway and Park Boulevard in downtown San Diego and took him into custody following a brief struggle, Cali said.
— City News Service