Barstow Man Arrested for Stabbing His Neighbor in the Back

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BARSTOW – A 62-year-old Barstow man was arrested after stabbing his neighbor then threatening to shoot him with a toy rifle Barstow police said. Late Wednesday morning Barstow Police responded to the 300 block of Beverly Street regarding an assault. The reporting party told dispatchers that her husband was stabbed by a neighbor, who fled to his garage in the 1600 block of Plute Street. The woman indicated that the suspect, later identified as Ralph Rasmussen Sr. was in possession of a firearm

The officer arrived at the home at 11:08 a.m. and emergency medical personnel arrived shortly after. Rasmussen was located standing in front of a home with a wooden toy rifle. He was taken into custody and medical aid was provided to the victim who suffered only minor injuries and did not require medical transport.

Through investigation, it was learned that the male victim was walking down his driveway when Rasmussen walked up and asked to use his cell phone. He reached into his car to get the phone and Rasmussen stabbed him twice in the back with a kitchen knife. He then ran to his garage and grabbed the toy rifle and pointed it at the victim. After searching Rasmussen the knife believed to be used in the stabbing was located. It remains unknown why the stabbing occurred.

Rasmussen was questioned at the Barstow Police Department and was subsequently booked into the High Desert Detention Center for assault with a deadly weapon. He is being held in lieu of $50,000 bail and is scheduled to appear at the Victorville Superior Court on Monday.

Anyone with information regarding this investigation is encouraged to contact the Barstow Police Department at (760) 256-2211. Those wishing to remain anonymous may also report criminal activity by calling the WE-Tip hotline at 1-800-78-CRIME.