CLARION BOROUGH, Pa. (EYT) — Authorities say one man is in custody following a series of events in Clarion Borough Thursday evening that culminated with a violent assault.

According to Clarion Borough Police Chief William Peck, IV, the incidents began with a two-vehicle crash on 8th Avenue in Clarion Borough around 6:55 p.m.

Police arrived at the scene of the accident to discover the driver of one of the vehicles, which had struck another occupied vehicle, had fled the scene of the crash on foot.

As the officers were investigating the scene of the crash, they were dispatched to a report of a stabbing at an apartment building on Heidrick Street.

Chief Peck said when the officers responded the scene of the stabbing, they encountered two victims — one with a stab wound to one arm and one with bite wounds to one hand. Both victims were transported to Clarion Hospital ER for treatment.

According to Chief Peck, a man was looking for an individual who resides in a nearby apartment and asked the victims to use a phone. After he made a phone call, the man allegedly refused to return the phone and brandished a knife. A struggle then ensued, during which one individual was stabbed in the arm, and the other individual was bitten on the fingers.

The victims were able to remove the man from the residence. He then fled the scene on foot.

As police were investigating the assault, they received another dispatch, this time to a report of a stolen vehicle. Their investigation soon discovered that the vehicle reported stolen was the vehicle that had been abandoned following the crash on 8th Avenue.

Further investigation revealed that the individual suspected of stealing and crashing the vehicle was the same person involved in the assault on Heidrick Street, 39-year-old Jacob A. Martinez of Butler.

According to Chief Peck, Martinez was taken into custody after he was found hiding in a closet of the residence the vehicle was reported stolen from.

Court documents indicate the following charges were filed against Martinez on Friday, September 28, in Magisterial District Judge Duane L. Quinn’s office:

• Criminal Attempt — Robbery-Inflict Serious Bodily Injury, Felony 1
• Aggravated Assault, Felony 2
• DUI: Gen Imp/Inc of Driving Safely — 1st Offense, Misdemeanor
• Simple Assault, Misdemeanor 2 (two counts)
• Unauthorized Use Motor/Other Vehicles, Misdemeanor 2
• Accident Involving Damage Attended Vehicle/Property, Misdemeanor 3
• Careless Driving
• Drive While Operator Privilege Suspended Or Revoked, Summary
• Driving Without A License, Summary

Martinez is being detained in the Clarion County Jail while awaiting arraignment.

Chief Peck noted that Clarion-based State Police and Clarion University Police assisted with the investigations.

“It was a group effort to take this individual into custody, and we appreciate the help,” he said.