Photo: Alexander Knab
MODESTO – The Modesto Police Department are calling an attempted homicide “a needle in the haystack investigation.”
On September 12 at 2:30 a.m., a 62-year-old female transient was on the 1600 block of Yosemite Boulevard, proceeding along with her walker. That was when 21-year-old Alexander Knab attacked her.
Knab beat the victim, who did not know him and did nothing to provoke the attack. The suspect beta the victim unconscious, and then continued the beating. He took the victim’s backpack and walker before leaving.
A passerby discovered the victim later that morning, awake but still bloodied. Arriving detectives viewed surveillance video and snipped a still photo of the attacker. That same day Knab was taken into custody, where he confessed to his crime.
Sergeant Fara said, “This truly was like finding a needle in a haystack. We had no identifying information for the suspect and no witnesses to the crime. Thanks to the observant skills by a Detective assigned to Major Crimes we were able to locate the suspect, and take this violent offender off of the streets and prevent another unprovoked attack.”
Knab was booked for attempted murder, robbery and parole violation.
