The Two Combatants Were Roommates
WATSONVILLE—The Watsonville Police have arrested 24-year-old Matthew Lee Hendrix of Watsonville on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon after he reportedly lacerated his roommate’s head and face.
On Saturday night, May 17 shortly before 9 p.m., Watsonville Police responded to the area of Main Street and Pennsylvania Avenue on a report of a victim of a stabbing. Upon their arrival, Officers found a 40-year-old man who had several serious lacerations to his head and face. They also were able to locate several witnesses to the crime.
The victim was transported to the Watsonville Community Hospital by ambulance. Police learned from the victim that the assault occurred at the 300 block of Pennsylvania Avenue about a block way from where they found him.
The attack occurred at apartments on Pennsylvania Drive.
The victim was also able to tell investigators that a verbal altercation had occurred between him and his roommate. The altercation became heated and proceeded outside where the suspect produced a stabbing instrument, believed to be a knife, and began to slash the victim across his head and face.
The resulting wounds were so severe that they were considered life-threatening, and required immediate medical attention. The suspect was identified as Matthew Lee Hendrix who was found on Main Street.
“The suspect as found by observant officers walking in front of a nearby Ross Store.” Watsonville Police Sergeant Eric Montalbo wrote in a press release. “He was identified by witnesses.”
The suspect was detained and identified. The Watsonville Police arrested Hendrix and booked him in to the Santa Cruz County Jail on charges of assault with a deadly weapon likely to produce great bodily harm, and with mayhem based upon the severity of the injures. His bail was set at 25,000 dollars. The victim was listed in stable condition.
Hendrix’s crime history shows a violent past. He had been arrested in April for battery on a spouse or co-habitant (domestic violence) and in September of last year for battery on a peace officer. And though it is said Hendrix and the victim were roommates, his listed address is on the Rancho Cerritos Mobile Home Park about a mile away. It is not clear if they were roommates there, or if Hendrix was staying with the victim at his apartment.
The Watsonville Police is asking that if anyone with information about this case to call the Watsonville Police Department at 831-768-3352.
