Charges: Rochester Man Slashed Tires, Lunged at Motorist With a Knife

Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News)- A Rochester man is facing felony charges that stem from a knife assault. 

See Also: Woman Sentenced for Rochester Drive-By Shooting Conviction 

That’s according to a criminal complaint filed in Olmsted County Court on Monday. 

The court document says the alleged assault occurred around 2 a.m. on March 5 outside of a home in southwest Rochester. The case also involves a damaged vehicle. 

Rochester Man Charged for Knife Assault, Damaging Vehicle

The victim told Rochester police he was in the area of 19th Ave SW and 3rd St SW around 2 a.m. to pick up a person and had pulled onto the side of the road to use his phone because he could not find a person. 

He told police a man then walked up to his car and slashed his rear passenger tire. 

The man then entered the victim's vehicle through the front passenger door, lunged at the victim with a knife and threatened to kill him, the charges say.

The victim ran out of the vehicle and called 911. He was not injured, the complaint indicates. 

Trail of Blood Found at Scene

Responding officers found a trail of blood near the victim's vehicle. The trail ran to a nearby house and down the street. 

The alleged assailant was later identified as 24-year-old Damian Atenco Moctezuma. Police learned Moctezuma had cut his right hand and had family living in the area of the alleged assault. 

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Moctezuma went to the law enforcement center on March 9 to speak with investigators. 

He acknowledged approaching the victim's vehicle while walking home from the family’s house. Moctezuma denied entering the vehicle, the charges state. 

DNA & Blood Samples Tested

Investigators tested bloody fingerprints found on the victim’s passenger door and blood samples found at the scene. They also obtained a DNA sample from Moctezuma.

 The charges say the samples taken from the scene matched the sample provided by Moctezuma. 

Moctezuma is charged with second-degree assault, felony threats and fourth-degree property damage.

He is being charged by summons and is due to make his first court appearance in August.