DETROIT (WWJ) – The manhunt for a suspect in two random stabbings believed to be motivated by money has ended with a man's arrest on Detroit's west side.
Assistant Police Chief Charles Fitzgerald said in a Sunday evening update the suspect was arrested shortly after 5:30 p.m., more than five hours after he first attacked a man in his 60s in the area of Joy and Dexter.
The first stabbing happened around 11:30 a.m. on Dexter, just south of Joy Road. Fitzgerald said police believe the suspect approached the victim from behind, looking for money.
"He viciously stabbed this person. It was awful," Fitzgerald said. "Then he calmly walked away."
The victim was stabbed multiple times and was listed in critical condition.
"He is struggling right now," Fitzgerald said of the first victim, who was unable to talk to police due to his conditon.
About an hour and 20 minutes after the first stabbing, another man in his 60s was stabbed in the area of Grand River and Clarendon, about a mile west of the first location.
Fitzgerald said that man was also approached for money before being stabbed multiple times. The second victim was said to be in temporary serious condition.
DPD released multiple photos of the suspect, showing him wearing a black Champion sweatshirt, black sweatpants and headphones.
He was eventually found by officers conducting a grid search of the area surrounding the crime scenes. Officers got permission to search a home on Linsdale -- near Joy and I-96 -- and found him inside, wearing the same clothes.
He was arrested without incident, Fitzgerald said.
During the search for the suspect, Detroit police officials had been telling the public to "avoid contact with unknown individuals while police investigate."
"Use extreme caution and call 911 if you see this individual," officials said.
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