Man stabbed in Santa Cruz early Tuesday morning

Stephen Baxter – Santa Cruz Sentinel
Posted:   04/03/2012

SANTA CRUZ – A 43-year-old transient man was stabbed in the back during a fight with another transient early Tuesday morning.

Santa Cruz police spokesman Zach Friend said the victim was staying at an illegal campsite behind a building on the 500 block of Front Street.

Randolph Vaden Tolley, 44, went to the campsite and got into a fight with him about 4:30 a.m., Friend said. The victim grabbed a golf club and chased Tolley to Cathcart Street.

Tolley tackled him and stabbed him in the back, police said.

Police found the victim on his side with a stab wound. Tolley stood about 15 feet away holding a folding knife.

The victim was transported to an out-of-county trauma center. He was released from the hospital on Tuesday, according to police.

Tolley was arrested on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon, Friend said. Tolley is being held in County Jail in lieu of $25,000 bail, according to jail records.

“Investigators are working to interview additional witnesses today to build a better picture of what occurred before the stabbing,” Friend said Tuesday.

Santa Cruz police ask anyone with information to call the anonymous tip line at 420-5995 or leave a tip at www.santacruzpolice.com or by the mobile application at http://m.santacruzpolice.com.