A 31-year-old man suspected of stabbing a store security guard trying to stop him from stealing shoes was being held Wednesday in lieu of $30,000 bail.
Davion Marquise Stewart of Moreno Valley was arrested and booked into the Smith Correctional Facility in Banning on Tuesday on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon, making terrorist threats, robbery and shoplifting.
According to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department, Stewart went into an outlet at the Moreno Valley Mall, near the intersection of Centerpoint Drive and Frederick Street, at about 3:30 p.m. Tuesday and grabbed a pair of shoes, then headed for the exit without paying.
Sgt. Robert Frieberg said a security guard confronted the suspect to prevent the alleged theft, culminating in a struggle between the two men.
“The victim was stabbed with a knife,” Frieberg said. “He was able to pepper spray Stewart in the face before (the suspect) left the location on his bicycle.”
Witnesses called 911, and sheriff’s patrol deputies arrived minutes later, along with paramedics.
The guard was taken to nearby Riverside University Medical Center for treatment of the wound, from which he’s expected to recover. Frieberg said deputies scoured the area and located Stewart a couple blocks away, taking him into custody without incident.
The suspect declined treatment for the pepper spray exposure and was booked into jail.
Background information on Stewart was unavailable.