HollyMatkinHouston, TX – A heroic father-to-be was left with stab wounds in his throat and face after he fought off attackers who attempted to kidnap his pregnant wife. Both suspects are still on the loose.
Police released a composite sketch of one of the suspects, whom they warned the public was “just about as dangerous as they get.”
The attack occurred after Othon Maldonado, 30, and his wife, Sandra Martinez, stopped at a Whataburger on Dec. 18, 2017, at approximately 1 a.m. for a quick breakfast, KPRC reported.
As the couple stepped out of their truck, two men with knives descended on them, and demanded Maldonado’s wallet and cell phone.
One of the men held a knife to Maldonado’s neck, while he held a handgun in his other hand, police said in a press release.
Initially, Maldonado complied with the attackers’ demands, but when the assailants attempted to pull the pregnant Martinez into their vehicle, Maldonado fought back.
During the struggle, one of the men slashed Maldonado’s throat, and stabbed him in the face, KPRC reported.
When he fell to the ground, both suspects struck him in the face, police said.
As Maldonado’s blood gushed onto the ground, the men fled the parking lot in a newer model, black four-door car, and have not yet been located.
Martinez managed to help her husband into their truck, and rushed him to a nearby hospital, KPRC reported.
Miraculously, Maldonado survived his injuries, and went home with his wife on Thursday.
He still has a long road to recovery, KPRC reported.
Investigators released a composite sketch of the man who stabbed Maldonado, and hope that someone will recognize him before he hurts someone else.
“On a threat scale of one to ten, I’d say this guy is a ten. He’s just about as dangerous as they get.” HPD Robbery Detective Jeff Brieden told KPRC. “He cut him up really bad, which tells me it wouldn’t have bothered this guy one bit if he had killed him.”
The first suspect was described as a Hispanic male between the ages of 30 and 35. He was between 5’ 7” inches and 5’ 10” tall, and weighed between 225 and 250 pounds. He had short hair, a medium complexion, and a tattoo that said “Houston” on his right arm, police said.
The second suspect was described as a Hispanic male between the ages of 30 to 35. He was between 5’ 7” and 5’ 10” tall, and weighed between 160 and 200 pounds. He had short hair and a dark complexion, police said.
A $5,000 reward may be available for information that leads to the suspects’ arrests.
Anyone with information was asked to call 713-222-TIPS or report it online at www.crime-stoppers.org.