Rodriguez was treated on scene before being transported to Santa Paula Memorial Hospital. He was later transferred to Ventura County Medical Center.Rodriguez was stabbed once deeply in the neck at the base of his head below the left ear: it was initially believed that his spinal cord had been severed in the attack. A knife was found at the scene of the altercation and is being tested to determine if it was used in the attack on Rodriguez.Police identified Chavez as the suspect early on and saw him enter his mother's house, across the street from the 10th Street Police Station, Thursday shortly after 11 a.m. Officers and detectives surrounded the house and arrested Chavez, who has numerous contacts with the police and is believed to be a gang member.Rodriguez is not believed to be a member of any local gang.He is in critical and guarded condition at Ventura County Medical Center, where possible damage to his spinal cord will be evaluated.Chavez is being held at Ventura County Jail and is being charged with attempted homicide.
SPPD: SP teenager wounded in stabbing named, condition still critical
March 09, 2001
Santa Paula News
The identity of an 18-year-old teenager stabbed in the neck last week has been released, and Roberto Rodriguez remains in Ventura County Medical Center in critical condition.
By Peggy KellySanta Paula TimesThe identity of an 18-year-old teenager stabbed in the neck last week has been released, and Roberto Rodriguez remains in Ventura County Medical Center in critical condition.Ruben Chavez was arrested at about 11:15 a.m. on Thursday, March 1 for allegedly being the man who stabbed Rodriguez. The attack occurred the night before at about 10:45 a.m., in a parking lot in the 300 block of South Palm Avenue.A Santa Paula Police officer was led to Rodriguez when he was flagged down by a citizen who reported a group of subjects fighting near a fast-food restaurant.Upon the officer's arrival, a crowd of people told the officer that a teenager had been stabbed and an ambulance needed. In addition, witnesses told the police that the suspect had fled on foot westbound in the 100 block of Santa Ana Street.
