Homeless Man Arrested in Lake Elsinore Theft, Stabbing Case

A homeless man was taken into custody after he allegedly stabbed and robbed another homeless person in Lake Elsinore, police say.

The robbery was reported to Lake Elsinore Police Department on Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2018, and was said to have occurred in the 18000 block of Collier Avenue.

The victim, who is homeless, told officers he had been assaulted and robbed around 5 am by another homeless person while he slept. During the incident, the suspect allegedly stole clothing from the victim, stabbed him in the arm and fled the location. The victim’s wounds were non-life threatening.

The victim identified the suspect to officers and said the two knew one other.

On Wednesday, Sept. 19, officers assigned to the Lake Elsinore Police's Problem Oriented Policing Team learned through canvassing the area that the suspect was in a wash near Collier and Nichols.

At 6:30 AM, the officers located and arrested the suspect, 28-year-old Richard Rodriguez of Lake Elsinore, without incident. Rodriguez was transported to the Cois Byrd Detention Center where he was booked for charges related to robbery and assault with a deadly weapon.

Anyone who may have information regarding the case is asked to contact LEPD Officer Chad McVay at (951) 245-3300.

Image via the Riverside County Sheriff-Coroner's office