BPD: stabbing suspect responsible for recent assaults arrested

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — UPDATE: (April 17, 9:20 a.m.): Stabbing suspect identified at 23-year old Anthony Lee Lewis Jr. was arrested just after 9 p.m. Thursday. Police said units conducting surveillance in the area saw Lewis on foot and arrested him immediately, as it appeared he was following a female walking alone.

The Bakersfield Police Department said a stabbing that left one woman in critical condition Tuesday night may be related to previous stabbing incidents in the last month.

According to BPD, the three stabbing incidents happened on March 14, April 2, and this last Tuesday. BPD said the suspect description in all three incidents is similar, as is the manner in which the victims were assaulted. All three victims were determined to be homeless females who frequent the area.

The suspect is described as a man between the ages of 18, tall with a thin build, and wearing a black hooded sweatshirt.

The first stabbing happened on March 14 in the 500 block of 21st Street. The victim in that incident was stabbed multiple times and sustained serious injuries. On April 2, officers investigated a stabbing that occurred in the 100 block of Kentucky Street, with a female victim that was stabbed multiple times.

Investigators have conducted a detailed canvass of the area to check for potential witnesses and video related to the incidents. The investigation is ongoing.

Anyone with information related to these assaults is encouraged to call Detective Jared Diederich (661) 326-3558, or the Bakersfield Police Department (661) 327-7111.