Grudge Assailant Gets Three Years

MURRIETA - An assailant who stabbed a 21-year-old San Jacinto man against whom he bore a grudge was sentenced today to three years in state prison.

Ricardo Robles, 21, of East Hemet pleaded guilty on Jan. 15 to assault with a deadly weapon in connection with an attack nearly three months earlier.

Under the plea deal, in exchange for Robles' acknowledging responsibility for the attack, prosecutors dropped sentence-enhancing weapon and great bodily injury allegations.

Riverside County Superior Court Judge Timothy Freer certified the plea agreement today and imposed the sentence negotiated between the District Attorney's Office and Robles' attorney, Mary Bernal.

According to sheriff's investigators, the attack happened on Oct. 29 in the area of State and Seventh streets in San Jacinto.

The victim, whose name was not released, told deputies Robles had been harassing him just before he was assaulted.

''He reported having his tires slashed and vehicle damaged by Robles while visiting a girlfriend,'' said Sgt. Wally Clear.

According to Clear, the victim took his car to be repaired at an auto shop in the 700 block of Seventh Street and as he waited, Robles appeared with an associate, later identified as 27-year-old Carlos Arevalo Rojas.

''Both males assaulted the victim, causing stab wounds and facial injuries,'' Clear said.

Clear said deputies arrived moments later and got a description of the men's car.

An off-duty law enforcement officer listening to radio traffic heard the broadcast describing the vehicle and spotted it, at which point he tailed the suspects to a house at 40836 Johnston St.

Both were taken into custody without incident.

The victim was hospitalized and treated for non-life-threatening wounds, according to Clear.

Rojas posted bail and fled the area before he could be arraigned on felony charges. A warrant has been issued for his arrest.