On March 1, 2015 at approximately 11:21 p.m., Los Banos Police responded to the 700 block of Illinois Avenue for the report of suspicious circumstances. An anonymous caller told police two juveniles were seen running south on Illinois Avenue towards West I Street. One juvenile was described as a male wearing a black and gray sweater and black pants. The second juvenile was described as a female wearing a red and black beanie style hat.
Moments later, police were dispatched to Memorial Hospital Los Banos to investigate the report of a stabbing. The 50-year-old male victim walked into the emergency room and told staff he had been stabbed.
The victim told police he was walking on Illinois Avenue looking for his son when he encountered two males. According to the victim, the two suspects made some comments to the victim before assaulting and stabbing him multiple times. Exactly what the suspects said to the victim remains unclear.
The suspects were described as white male adults; one heavy set with a long beard and the second tall and thin wearing prescription eye glasses.
Detectives responded to the scene and canvassed the area for witnesses and evidence. The victim was unable to provide clear information to the officers and at this time it remains unclear if the juvenile male and female described by the anonymous caller are witnesses or suspects.
“At this time, we have been unsuccessful in finding witnesses to the stabbing. We ask that anyone with information come forward and tell their story. Any person with information can be anonymous by calling our local tip line or Merced Area Crime Stoppers.”
- Jason Hedden, Police Commander
To leave an anonymous crime tip call 209-827-7070 Ext. 288. If you have access to a computer and the internet you can also leave an anonymous tip at the Police Department’s web page at www.losbanos.org. At the bottom of the “Contact” page simply click on the “report graffiti and other crime” link or visit the Merced Area Crime Stoppers by telephone at 1-855-725-2420, or at www.mercedareacrimestoppers.org
