SWEETWATER, Fla. – A 40-year-old man was arrested Sunday after he stabbed another man in the hand outside a café in Sweetwater, authorities said.
According to his arrest report, the victim was outside the Rinconcito Café, located at 10930 W. Flagler St. just after 2:45 a.m. when he was approached by Christian Echeverri, who was wearing a backpack and carrying a knife.
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The victim told police that Echeverri started “bothering” him and when he told him to stop, Echeverri began making “slashing movements” toward him before stabbing him in his right hand, the arrest report stated.
According to the report, Echeverri then stole the victim’s phone and fled south on 110th Avenue.
Sweetwater police said officers canvassed the area and spotted Echeverri appearing to throw something away.
When officers detained him, he was found with the victim’s cellphone, police said.
According to the report, Echeverri claimed that the victim had given him the phone and claimed that it was the victim who had the knife and tried to stab him, so he defended himself.
Police said the victim was transported to HCA Florida Kendall Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
“It is important to note that the victim seems to be very old and frail and walks (with) a cane and can barely maintain his balance without a cane,” an officer wrote in the arrest report.
Echeverri was arrested on charges of armed robbery and aggravated battery.
As of Monday afternoon, he was being held at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center where his bond had yet to be set.