OAKLAND — A Texas man, targeted by a shotgun-wielding robber in the Oakland hills early Saturday, stabbed the gunman in a violent struggle and saved himself and his girlfriend, authorities said.
The suspect, a Newark man, was undergoing surgery at a hospital and will be arrested on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon, attempted carjacking, attempted robbery, and vehicle theft, authorities said.
A Hayward woman with him was also arrested, authorities said. It was not clear what their relationship was, and their names were not released.
The chaotic incident began about 1:33 a.m. Saturday on Skyline Boulevard, a half-mile north of Joaquin Miller Road.
Police said the suspect couple were driving a BMW that had been stolen in San Leandro on Thursday. The vehicle crashed into a tree, and the man stood on the roadway to flag someone down.
The Texas couple, who were in the area for a visit and were out sightseeing, stopped. The man got out to help while his girlfriend stayed in their car, police said.
The Newark man then pulled a shotgun and pointed it at the victim in an attempt to rob him of his valuables and car, authorities said.
Police said the suspect briefly turned away and pointed the shotgun at the Texas woman still in the car, demanding her cell phone and other property. That’s when her boyfriend got into a struggle with the suspect.
At one point the shotgun went off, but no one was injured by the blast. Both men fell to the ground, where the intended victim pulled a pocket knife and stabbed the suspect several times, ending the struggle, police said.
According to police audio recordings, the man was stabbed at least seven times with one officer saying he suffered “arterial bleeding.”
While his girlfriend called 911, the Texas man provided the suspect some first aid until police and paramedics arrived. The suspect is expected to recover and face criminal charges. The Texas man was treated for minor injuries, including a knife cut to his hand.
Staff writer Matthias Gafni contributed to this report.