Man wanted for stabbing nabbed in north county

Published 5:30 pm Monday, July 29, 2024

SOUTH BEND — Law enforcement agencies in north Pacific County captured a wanted man in South Bend late in the night on Sunday, July 28. The incident unfolded at 11:30 p.m. on Broadway Avenue.

According to radio traffic, officers surrounded a trailer with a man inside. He was reportedly a suspect in a stabbing incident that occurred earlier in the evening in Aberdeen.

The suspect, identified as Elijah G. Ochoa, 27, of South Bend, was apprehended by officers from the Raymond Police Department and South Bend Police Department. He was handed over to detectives with the Aberdeen Police Department.

“Officer Jordan Dockter and the Raymond Police Department were able to locate and take him into custody,” SBPD Chief Lucas Stigall said.

“They took the guy into custody in South Bend this morning,” RPD Chief Pat Matlock said. “APD came down to help and get the guy. We just assisted.”

According to radio chatter, APD detectives processed the scene at the trailer.

The stabbing reportedly occurred around 8:46 p.m. at the intersection of East State Street and F Street in downtown Aberdeen — the area near Breakwater Seafoods. Officers located a male in his mid-20s with stab wounds to the abdomen.

Ochoa was booked into the City of Aberdeen Jail at 1:46 a.m. and is currently facing first-degree assault with a deadly weapon, which is a Class A felony with a maximum sentence of life in prison and a $50,000 fine.

Court records show that Ochoa has a criminal record. His most recent charge in Pacific County was in 2020 for felony taking a vehicle without permission. He also has previous convictions as a juvenile, including firearm possession.