Spokane police accuse man of stabbing step-grandfather

Spokane police arrested a 21-year-old man for allegedly stabbing his step-grandfather Thursday night. Police say that just after 11:00 p.m., Joel M. Arevalo slashed the 56-year-old victim’s truck tires before forcing open the victim’s apartment door in the 1800 block of West Dean, then stabbing the victim in the chest as he lay in bed. He fled on foot, according to police, but officers found him a short distance away. He was arrested on suspicion of first-degree burglary and first-degree assault. Officers found a knife at the scene they believe was used in the assault. The victim was transported to a hospital. He suffered serious injuries but they do not appear to be life threatening. Police have connected Arevalo to a stabbing Tuesday night in which a man was stabbed 16 to 19 times in the neck and back. The victim in that incident couldn’t talk to law enforcement until Friday. That victim, according to police, is Arevalo’s step-father and police said the two argued before the stabbing. They have added an additional charge of first-degree assault for the Tuesday stabbing. Both victims are in serious, but not life-threatening condition. Police say the motive for the attack remains unclear.