The Sanford Police Department announced Friday that two men were arrested in connection to the non-fatal stabbing of homeless man that occurred early Thursday morning.
[RELATED: Sanford Man Stabbed Multiple Times After Having His Bike Stolen Near City’s Homeless Hot Spot…]
Derrick Roberts-Poulin, 21, of Sanford, and Jordan Roberge, also 21 and of Sanford were arrested late Thursday afternoon.
Both men face charges of Robbery and Elevated Aggravated Assault in the stabbing of 38-year-old William Southworth.
The stabbing occurred near one of the city’s homeless hot spots, at the intersection of Emery Street and Heritage Crossing.
The two men allegedly approached Southworth, stole his bicycle, and then stabbed him during a subsequent physical altercation.
Southworth, who the police revealed Friday was a member of Sanford’s homeless population, was taken to Maine Medical Center, where he was in stable condition Thursday.
The Sanford Police say their Criminal Investigation Unity worked throughout the day Thursday piecing the case together, eventually drafting and executing a search warrant at 907 Main St., where evidence was collected as part of their investigation.
Roberts-Paulin and Roberge were then interviewed and arrested at the Sanford Police Department.
“This case also highlights the vulnerability of the unhoused population that resided in Sanford to which a vulnerable person was ultimately a victim,” the Sanford Police wrote in their Friday release.
The Sanford Police reassured members of the public under their Facebook announcement of the arrests that there had been no immediate threat to the public, as “this crime was isolated.”
Explaining to one person why the two men were not being charged with attempted murder, the Sanford Police said “the Maine Criminal Statutes are very specific on criminal attempt. At this time the charges fit the crime that is still being investigated.”
“As more evidence come out and more details emerge the initial charges can always change,” they added.
