ARIZONA NEWS

Police arrest man after fatal stabbing over lighter in Mesa

Aug 16, 2022, 11:00 AM

(Facebook Photo/Maricopa County Sheriff's Office)...

(Facebook Photo/Maricopa County Sheriff's Office)

(Facebook Photo/Maricopa County Sheriff's Office)

PHOENIX — Maricopa County Sheriffs arrested a man in Mesa Sunday after he fatally stabbed another man 50 to 70 times in an altercation on Friday, authorities said.

Officers responded to a call of a stabbing at the intersection of University Dr. and Extension Rd in Mesa around 1:40 a.m.

At the scene, officers noticed the defendant, Roberto Villareal-Suarez, just south of the reported scene of the stabbing with blood visible on his hands and clothing, according to a press release.

Villareal-Suarez also had a knife with blood on it, as well as an electronic tablet in his hands when police found him.

Police then found the victim, a male, in a pool of blood in the middle of the intersection at 800 W University Drive, according to the release.

The victim was unresponsive and had numerous stab wounds to the chest and torso. Mesa Fire Department arrived to the scene and pronounced him dead just after 2 a.m.

Police then discovered the victim had been stabbed up to 50 or 70 times.

Villareal-Suarez admitted to the stabbing to detectives, saying “he wanted to kill him,” according to the release.

He told police that him and the victim met in a “dark area” prior to the altercation, where the victim pulled a knife on Villareal-Suarez trying to rob him of a lighter.

Villareal-Suarez said he removed the knife from the victim, then chasing and stabbing him before eventually taking the tablet. He said he planned to use it or sell it for money because he’s homeless.

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Pass it along to the KTAR News team here.

Arizona News

A lottery ticket from an Avondale Fry's won $50,000 in a recent Powerball drawing....

Kevin Stone

Lottery ticket from West Valley supermarket wins $50,000 in Powerball

A lottery ticket purchased at an Avondale supermarket won $50,000 in Wednesday’s Powerball drawing.

15 minutes ago

vaccinating chickens egg prices...

Kevin Stone

Arizona egg farmer wants to vaccinate chickens from bird flu, but government won’t allow it

A prominent Arizona egg farmer says vaccinating chickens from the bird flu would lower prices, but the federal government won’t allow it.

1 hour ago

Valley events calendar...

KTAR.com

Valley events calendar: Here’s a rundown of things to do around metro Phoenix

Our Valley events calendar keeps you up to date on the wide variety of activities across the Phoenix area.

3 hours ago

The evacuation order for the Brady Fire was lifte on Wednesday....

KTAR.com

Evacuation order lifted for residents near Brady Fire south of Prescott

The evacuation order for a community threatened by the Brady Fire south of Prescott was lifted on Wednesday evening, authorities said.

5 hours ago

off-road vehicle crash...

Kevin Stone

2nd teen in off-road vehicle crash at Phoenix canal has died

The second teen involved in an off-road vehicle crash at a Phoenix canal last week has died, authorities announced Wednesday.

6 hours ago

Two men were injured on Wednesday night when a suspect opened fire at a group of unsheltered people...

Kevin Stone

Suspect opens fire at unsheltered people at Tempe park, injuring 3

Three people were injured on Wednesday night when a suspect opened fire at a group of unsheltered people in Tempe, authorities said.

6 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

...

Asset Preservation Wealth & Tax

How to optimize the most money in 2024 tax returns

As tax season begins, getting your financials in order is important to maximize your tax return.

...

Bright Wealth Management

How IRAs are a helpful tool in retirement planning

When it comes to retirement planning, individual retirement accounts (IRAs) can be a great tool for income growth.

...

Bright Wealth Management

How to save money on retirement planning following 2024 election

PHOENIX -- With the 2024 election over, economic changes could impact how people plan for retirement as 2025 is on the horizon.

Police arrest man after fatal stabbing over lighter in Mesa