Three-month investigation ends in the arrest of one attempted murderer

BAKERSFIELD — A three-month police investigation into the stabbing of a man in Oildale has finally resulted in the arrest of one suspect.

3300 Block of Mesa Drive

According to Police, Salvador Padilla, 41, was taken into custody on July 23, by Deputies from the Kern County Sheriff’s Office Gang Suppression Unit.

He was booked into the Kern County Sheriffs Central Receiving Facility on charges of attempted homicide, aggravated mayhem and assault with a deadly weapon.

He is currently being held on $1,525,000 bail.

Padilla’s arrest stemmed from an investigation that began back on April 19, 2013, into an altercation that occurred in the 200 block of Warren Avenue in Oildale, a neighborhood in northeast Bakersfield.

A police spokesperson said the exchange, which was between Padilla and 29-year-old Johnny Garza, ended when Padilla stabbed Garza multiple times in the right arm.

“Garza was initially taken to Bakersfield Memorial Hospital but then transferred by ambulance to Kern Medical Center where doctors amputated his arm,” senior deputy Ryan Dunbier said.

According to a Sheriff’s press release, they were notified about the incident by hospital staff at 9 p.m. of April 20.

During his recovery, Deputies spoke with Garza who provided information allowing them to indentify Padilla as the suspect, and obtained an arrest warrant.

On July 23, 2013, Deputies were able to develop information leading them to the 3300 block of Mesa Drive in Bakersfield where they believed Padilla was located.

With help from Sheriff’s K-9 deputies, air support and KCSO Metropolitan Patrol, Padilla was arrested and taken into custody after a short foot pursuit.

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