A New York man was taken into custody in connection with the stabbing of a 69-year-old man in Bethel on Tuesday morning.
Officers responded to 208 Greenwood Ave. around 9:30 a.m. for a report of a stabbing and were told that the suspect was walking with a duffel bag across the street to a busy shopping plaza, according to Michael J. Libertini, deputy chief of the Bethel Police Department. One of the witnesses included an off-duty police officer who followed the suspect and relayed information to dispatchers, Libertini said.
Libertini said Bethel officers were at the scene within seconds and began tending to a 69-year-old man who had been stabbed “at least twice,” including once in the upper back and once in the wrist. As other officers arrived they went after the suspect, who was taken into custody in Dolan’s Plaza, Libertini said. He was identified as 39-year-old Sean S. Vota of Northport, New York based on information from his driver’s license, according to Libertini.
Libertini said Vota was apprehended “without incident” and remained in police custody with charges pending.
The victim was taken to Danbury Hospital. Libertini said his injuries did not appear life-threatening.
“Due to the quick response and actions of Bethel police dispatchers and responding officers, there is no threat to the public,” Libertini said in a statement.
“It should be noted that the Bethel police are grateful for the quick actions of the witnesses who saw what had occurred and called 911,” Libertini said. “Specifically, an off-duty Stamford police officer who followed the suspect while relaying critical information to our dispatchers and on-scene police officers.”