CHULA VISTA (CNS) - A man who allegedly stabbed and seriously injured another man with a screwdriver during a San Ysidro street robbery pleaded not guilty Friday to attempted murder, robbery and vandalism charges.
Eduardo Hernandez Oliveros, 22, is accused of robbing the victim just before 7:30 a.m. Sept. 17 in the 600 block of East San Ysidro Boulevard.
Police said the victim was using his cell phone when Oliveros confronted him on the street and asked to use the phone. Before the victim could react, Oliveros allegedly snatched the phone out of his hand and took off.
Deputy District Attorney Daniel Shim alleged the victim chased Oliveros down and a "physical struggle" ensued, culminating in the defendant stabbing the victim in the face and neck with a screwdriver.
Bystanders called police, who responded and arrested Oliveros, who faces more than 25 years in state prison if convicted of all charges, according to the prosecutor.
The victim, whose name was not released, was hospitalized with serious injuries, according to the San Diego Police Department, which alleged that Oliveros "admitted he was trying to kill the victim."
Oliveros has a prior attempted murder conviction for stomping on his girlfriend's head, stabbing her in the leg and telling her he was going to kill her, according to Shim. He was found guilty in 2015 in Riverside County, according to the criminal complaint.
Bail was set at $1 million for Oliveros, who is due back in court Oct. 14 for a readiness conference.
