A suspect who stabbed an off-duty Palm Beach sheriff’s deputy after he intervened in an armed robbery and then stole his patrol car was later arrested, officials said.
The incident occurred around 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday when a robbery was reported at a dry cleaners in Greenacres.
An off-duty deputy who entered the store to have his laundry done quickly became aware of the robbery and intervened, Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office officials said.
The suspect stabbed the deputy twice in the upper body and in the hand and then fled the scene in his patrol car, officials said.
The MP was taken to hospital in stable condition.
The suspect, Glen Gotell, was later taken into custody, officials said.
Sheriff of Palm Beach County
Gotell faces several charges, including attempted murder of a police officer, armed robbery, armed burglary and grand theft of a motor vehicle.
He appeared in court on Wednesday, where he was ordered held without bail. Attorney information was not available.
“The arrest was successful. Fortunately, the deputy will survive. He will undergo surgery to repair his liver,” Palm Beach Sheriff Ric Bradshaw told reporters Tuesday evening.
