Cantina Stabbing Suspect Arrested In San Mateo

SAN MATEO, CA — Detectives this week arrested a man wanted in connection with a stabbing outside of Yuppie Cantina in San Mateo last month.

According to police, a group of men was involved in a violent altercation outside the bar in the early morning hours of Oct. 28. Officers learned many of the men used belts as weapons and that everyone involved was intoxicated, leading to a "chaotic situation." Two victims were stabbed and several others were injured severely enough to require medical attention, police said.

Officers secured the scene, provided aid, and collected surveillance with other evidence before turning the case over to the Investigations Bureau. Investigators said they were able to identify the suspect in the stabbing after taking a close look at the surveillance.

Police identified the man Tuesday as Bryan Barajas-Pantoja, 22, of San Mateo. Detectives secured a warrant and pulled the man over Monday afternoon, and he was taken into custody without incident. According to police, a search of the vehicle revealed a sheathed knife in the center console and a pocket knife.

Barajas-Pantoja was booked into jail on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon.