News writer
A man in Portland should have been celebrating his win in the Oregon Lottery, but instead, he was enduring a brutal stabbing by a man who was looking to take those winnings from him, according to authorities.
The scary incident
On the evening of August 17, the victim, a Portland man whose name was not given, met the suspect while playing the lottery machines at Montana's Bar in Southeast Portland, according to court documents obtained by KOMO News.
The victim had some good luck at those lottery machines, as he ended up winning about $2,000. He decided to take his winnings and head home, as he left the bar and walked back to his apartment.
Officials said the suspect, later identified as 61-year-old Pablo Andres Figueroa, secretly followed the victim home and then slipped through the security gate.
Figueroa followed behind the man by a few steps until the victim reached his apartment door. When the victim went to close the door, police said Figueroa forced the door open and tackled the man.
During the scuffle, Figueroa allegedly punched the man in the face and demanded money from him.
He wanted more!
The victim complied with Figueroa and handed over some of his winnings. However, Figueroa demanded more money before he stabbed the victim with a pocketknife 15 times in the arms, chest, and face, authorities said.
When talking with investigators, the victim said he played dead to end the attack, but then he blacked out.
Officers responded to the scene and spoke with employees of the apartment complex but then realized that the suspect likely didn't leave the scene.
The search was on, as officers searched the apartment building and eventually found Figueroa in a trash room, where he was arrested.
The charges
After his arrest, investigators were able to find $624 in cash on him and some bloodied pants.
Court documents state the pocketknife used by Figueroa was found in a cat litter box outside the victim's apartment.
Figueroa was arrested and charged with attempted murder, robbery, assault burglary, and unlawful use of a weapon, officials said.
On August 19, he pleaded not guilty to all the charges at his arraignment. He was ordered to be held without bail until a preventative detention hearing could be held.
The suspect's criminal history
As it turns out, Figueroa has had quite a few run-ins with the police over the years. He is listed as homeless with no fixed address, according to court records.
Figueroa has had several convictions out of Arkansas and California, including failing to comply with sex offender reporting requirements, threatening a crime with intent to terrorize, and battering a spouse.
He also happened to have an open case in Multnomah County from 2022. For that case, he was charged with unauthorized use of a vehicle and possession of a stolen vehicle, court documents state.
In 2021, he was also charged with identity theft and drug charges in Washington County.
On Friday, August 16, he was scheduled for a court appearance, but court records state he failed to show up that day and a warrant was issued for his arrest.
Figueroa is scheduled back in court on August 27.
Enjoy playing the Oregon Lottery, and please remember to play responsibly.
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