Police arrested an erratically behaving man who they say stabbed a 57-year-old man in the back Friday as he held a sign advertising a Ceres business.
The motive for the 10:37 a.m. attack has not yet been determined but police said the suspect may have had mental issues or under the influence of drugs.
The suspect was identified as James Wallace, 45.
The victim was in the 1600 block of Hatch Road holding an advertisement sign for a business when a man judged about six feet tall man approached him from behind. The victim felt a sharp pain in his back and saw the suspect run northbound toward the shopping center across the street.
The victim walked back to Ceres Gold Buyers, where police and emergency medical services were notified. The victim had a steak knife buried in his back, with the handle protruding from between his shoulder blades. He provided a good description of the assailant prior to losing consciousness and being rushed to a local hospital.
Officers found a man matching the description behind the vacant Raley's store north of Hatch Road. Police found another steak knife in his possession, matching the knife in the victim's back.
Police had difficulty positively identifying Wallace since he did not have any form of identification and was uncooperative.
The victim was listed in critical condition on Friday.
Detectives are asking anyone with any information on this case to contact Detective Sergeant Rob Robbins at 538-5672, or the Stanislaus Area Crime Stoppers at 1-866-60-CRIME. Or text tips confidently to "274637" with TIP704 in the wording.
The motive for the 10:37 a.m. attack has not yet been determined but police said the suspect may have had mental issues or under the influence of drugs.
The suspect was identified as James Wallace, 45.
The victim was in the 1600 block of Hatch Road holding an advertisement sign for a business when a man judged about six feet tall man approached him from behind. The victim felt a sharp pain in his back and saw the suspect run northbound toward the shopping center across the street.
The victim walked back to Ceres Gold Buyers, where police and emergency medical services were notified. The victim had a steak knife buried in his back, with the handle protruding from between his shoulder blades. He provided a good description of the assailant prior to losing consciousness and being rushed to a local hospital.
Officers found a man matching the description behind the vacant Raley's store north of Hatch Road. Police found another steak knife in his possession, matching the knife in the victim's back.
Police had difficulty positively identifying Wallace since he did not have any form of identification and was uncooperative.
The victim was listed in critical condition on Friday.
Detectives are asking anyone with any information on this case to contact Detective Sergeant Rob Robbins at 538-5672, or the Stanislaus Area Crime Stoppers at 1-866-60-CRIME. Or text tips confidently to "274637" with TIP704 in the wording.
