Police arrested 20-year-old Jose Villegas charging him with aggravated robbery after he and two other suspects are accused of shooting and stabbing Jesus Montez.
Jesus Montez was stabbed multiple times and shot but managed to survive the attack. He’s now telling his story that he believes he walked right into a robbery set up after trying to legally buy a gun from one of the suspects as a gift for his wife.
“What happened to me was kind of bad. It hurt. I could have died,” said the victim, Jesus Montez. “I’m glad nothing happened, that nothing really went wrong. It was just stab wounds and they punctured my lung cavity,”
Montez was back at work just one week after the attacks. He said he was trying to buy a gun from Villegas as a gift for his wife. He said Villegas was acting suspicious that night. Instead of buying the gift, he was robbed, shot in the leg and stabbed more than ten times in the back.
“I was meeting up with Jose at his apartments. When I got there two of his friends came around the corner with a gun and tried to get my wallet,” said Montez. “I never got to see what I was buying.”
The Peppertree Inn Apartments said none of the suspects live in the apartment complex.
Montez is now warning others about the dangers of buying things from strangers.
“It could have been a lot worse for anyone else. I’m not saying I’m tough but it could have been a lot worse for someone smaller, skinnier. It could have been a lot worse for someone not paying attention to their surroundings,” said Montez.
Police said if you’re purchasing something from a stranger, you should meet with them during the day, in a well lit area and with plenty of witnesses nearby.
Police are still looking for two more suspects in this case. If you know anything that can lead to the arrest, you can call the Crimeline at 741-1000.
