An East Boston man was arraigned on numerous charges in East Boston District Court following a stabbing incident last Friday at the gas station across from District A-7 Police Station.
Eric Vargas, 32, of East Boston, was arranged this week on charges of Assault and Battery by Means of a Dangerous Weapon, Assault by Means of a Dangerous Weapon and Possession of Counterfeit Notes or Bank Bills.
Just before 11:30 a.m. Friday, Sept. 27 officers, who were standing in front of the police station, were approached by a concerned citizen who stated that an adult male had just been stabbed inside the food mart of the Shell Gas Station across the street. The witness told police that the suspect had fled on foot down Paris Street towards Maverick Street.
The officers immediately ran to the store where they were met by a store clerk who began yelling and pointing in the direction of the suspect who was attempting to walk away from the scene.
The officers immediately approached the suspect, later identified as Vargas, and placed him into custody without incident. A pat frisk of Vargas allegedly turned up a Swiss Army knife, which officers confiscated.
When officers returned to the store to better understand the facts and circumstances surrounding the incident, the store clerk informed them that Vargas allegedly tried to make a purchase using a counterfeit bill. According to the clerk, when he refused to accept the counterfeit bill and returned it to Vargas the suspect allegedly became enraged and lunged at the clerk—allegedly reaching over the counter and striking him with his clenched fist.
The clerk, however, was able to defend himself and stop the suspect’s attack. The suspect then allegedly turned his attention on a second store employee who he allegedly stabbed before fleeing the store. The second store employee received treatment for minor lacerations on scene by Boston EMS but refused further medical attention and was not transported from the scene.