It was a close call for unsuspecting customers at a Demorest convenience store Monday night when a man on the run tried to get a ride from several of them. He even attempted to jump into one woman’s car, according to police.
It all started when 18-year-old Francisco Matias of Mt. Airy allegedly stabbed another Mt. Airy teen in apartment 422 at Demorest Court Apartments. A caller reported the incident to 911. When police arrived they discovered the victim was already at the hospital and the suspect was gone.
Fleeing suspect seeks ride
Witnesses told officers Matias stabbed 18-year-old Miguel Axel Pascual with a knife at the residence then fled the scene, according to the GBI. While on the run, Matias apparently went to a nearby convenience store and tried to hitch and steal a ride. A witness at the store at the intersection of Central Avenue and Demorest-Mt. Airy Highway told police he asked her for a ride and tried to get into the back seat of her car. “She said that she sped off,” says Demorest Police Chief Robin Krockum. “They said at the store he was acting weird and was trying to get a ride from several of the customers.”
Police later found Matias lying in the middle of Central Avenue. They transported him to Habersham Medical Center for evaluation where he was identified. Matias was arrested at the hospital and charged with aggravated assault.
Demorest Police asked the GBI to assist in its investigation into the stabbing. Police are also now looking into whether any additional charges are warranted based on what occurred at the store.
Matias is being held in the Habersham County jail without bond.
Pascual was transported to Northeast Georgia Medical Center in Gainesville where he was listed in stable condition, according to GBI spokesperson Nelly Miles. She says the GBI investigation continues.
Second stabbing in two weeks
This is the second GBI investigation into a stabbing in Habersham County in as many weeks.
On April 4, a man was stabbed in his home at 296 Willow Tree Avenue. 28-year-old Matthew Corey Jones was seriously injured. Two men were initially arrested in that stabbing. Jones was later arrested and charged with battery and aggravated assault.
Correction: The GBI previously reported Matias is from Cornelia. The booking report from the Habersham County jail lists his residence as Mt. Airy.
