A man accused of stabbing multiple people in downtown Ventura was arrested and released a week earlier

VENTURA, California. – Police in Ventura arrested a man early Saturday morning who they say was responsible for stabbing two people and attacking two others downtown, all within minutes of each other.

Officers arrested Efrain Troncoso on charges of attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon, robbery and attempted vehicle theft.

The first attack occurred just after 7 a.m. near Ash Street and Thompson Boulevard. Police said they received a call from a man who claimed he had been stabbed in the back by a man on a bicycle.

While officers were helping the man, another call was received. This time, a woman called 911 saying that a man had stabbed her in the neck while she was walking down Chestnut Street. A few minutes later, a third man called and said someone had hit him over the head with a metal pipe and robbed him.

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The police began searching the area for the attacker. That’s when the last person called 911, saying the man had robbed him at knifepoint and taken his car keys.

All four attacks occurred in less than 30 minutes, within just five blocks of each other.

Police said officers found Troncoso in a car he had broken into when he tried to start the car with stolen keys. They arrested Troncoso at gunpoint.

According to the Ventura Police Department, Troncoso has been arrested several times Moorparkincluding just last week for allegedly setting fire and resisting arrest.