Drug deal ended in Westchester stabbing spree, deputies say. One man jailed
What began as a drug run early Thursday morning spiraled into a violent frenzy when a Miami man stabbed three people — all over a missing wallet, according to the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office.
Around 4:30 a.m., 48-year-old Daniel Lopez, who was arrested Friday, arrived at a home on Southwest 93rd Court in Westchester with three other men — Juan Montano, 32; Arnaldo Martinez, 32; and Rolando Amador, 33 — to buy drugs, the Sheriff’s Office said. But before any transaction could take place, Lopez realized his wallet was missing and accused Montano of stealing it, according to his arrest affidavit.
After a heated exchange near the front door, the group returned to their vehicle, where Lopez pulled a knife and began attacking all three men, deputies say.
Deputies say Montano was stabbed under the arm and in the buttock. Martinez was struck in the side. Amador suffered a stab wound to the side of his head and another to his shoulder.
While Amador fled to the SUV for safety, the other two ran behind the house.
Lopez took off.
All three victims were taken to HCA Kendall Trauma Center. Martinez required surgery for his injuries.
The entire attack was caught on a neighbor’s security camera, and each victim later identified Lopez in a photo lineup, according to the affidavit.
Deputies said they eventually located Lopez at an apartment on Southwest 246th Street, but when officers moved in, he leapt from a third-story balcony and ran into a nearby field, hiding under an abandoned boat.
With help from aviation and K-9 units, Lopez was found and arrested. He told deputies in Spanish, “I’m going to beat this case. Those three are drug addicts,” and later added, “I’m the innocent one here. They’re the ones who stole my wallet,” according to his arrest report.
Lopez is charged with three counts of attempted murder and one count of resisting an officer without violence. He remained jailed at Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center as of Saturday.