Northern California dog owner attacked with swords; assailant steals pet for girlfriend, police say
Briefly

Northern California dog owner attacked with swords; assailant steals pet for girlfriend, police say
"A Ukiah dog owner suffered life-threatening injuries after two Mendocino County men attacked him with swords on New Year's Eve and stole the pet for one of the attackers' girlfriend, police said Tuesday. Adam Smith and Pete Gonzales, both 23, are each charged with attempted murder, robbery and assault, according to Mendocino County Superior Court records. Arrested on Jan. 1, both were arraigned Tuesday and are in custody at the Mendocino County jail in lieu of $1 million bail."
"They're accused of attacking the 33-year-old dog owner about 3:45 p.m. Dec. 31 in the 900 block of South State Street. According to Ukiah police, the victim was lured behind a building where "Smith drew a large sword from a sheath, and Gonzales pulled out a machete." Smith is accused of stabbing the man in his chest while they wrestled for the weapon. Gonzales is suspected of stabbing the back of his neck before the pair ran away with the dog and man's backpack."
"Officers found the "incoherent" man bleeding from the neck, chest and hand, police said. Paramedics took him to Adventist Health Ukiah Valley, where he was in "extremely critical condition and might not survive his injuries." Police said they confronted Smith at his Ukiah home after using surveillance footage and social media to identify him as a suspect. They discovered Smith shaved his head to conceal his identity, wanted the dog for his girlfriend, and Gonzales was the other suspect."
Adam Smith and Pete Gonzales, 23, were arrested and charged with attempted murder, robbery and assault after a New Year's Eve attack. The 33-year-old dog owner was lured behind a building around 3:45 p.m. Dec. 31, where Smith drew a large sword and Gonzales pulled out a machete. Smith allegedly stabbed the man's chest while they struggled for the weapon; Gonzales is suspected of stabbing the back of his neck before the pair fled with the dog and a backpack. Officers found the victim incoherent and bleeding and took him to Adventist Health Ukiah Valley in extremely critical condition. Police used surveillance footage and social media to identify and arrest the suspects and recovered the dog and evidence at a downtown home.
Read at The Mercury News
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