Police identified an Imperial Beach as the suspect in the overnight stabbing of a homeless man at a Chula Vista transit station and arrested him hours later.
Police said the victim, 36, was attacked, apparently without provocation, while he was sleeping at the Palomar Trolley Station in the early morning hours Saturday.
Officers were conducting a patrol at about 2:20 a.m. at the station when they found the man covered in blood, according to the Chula Vista Police Department.
Police said he was conscious and able to speak before he was taken to a hospital, where his multiple stab wounds were, police said, “currently considered non-life-threatening.”
With the help of the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System, the CVPD identified Tulio Gasca, 34, of Imperial Beach as a person of interest in the attack and said he should be considered armed and dangerous.
At about 3:42 p.m., CVPD dispatch received a call from someone who reported his vehicle being stolen in the 500 block of Moss Street. The victim was able to follow and call police, who stopped the vehicle.
The driver was found to be Gasca, police said. He was arrested on suspicion of vehicle theft, and later booked on suspicion of attempted murder in the stabbing.
Investigators believe there was at least one witness to the stabbing and are asking for this person or any other witnesses to contact CVPD at 619-691-5151. Anyone with further information also may call San Diego County Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477.
– City News Service
Updated 8:50 p.m. March 2, 2024
