Fresno police arrested a man accused of punching a victim, attempting to stab him, and leading officers on a foot chase Monday night, authorities said.

Officers were dispatched about 11:45 p.m. to a business near Blackstone and Holland avenues after receiving a report of a possible stabbing victim, the Fresno Police Department said.

The victim told officers that the suspect punched him, tried to stab him, and chased him with a knife before running north toward Gettysburg Avenue.

Police said the department’s Skywatch aircrew joined the search. After patrol officers directed the aircraft to check farther south, the aircrew spotted a man who partially matched the suspect’s description walking quickly toward Ashlan Avenue and repeatedly looking over his shoulder.

 

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Officers were directed to the man’s location, but police said he ran when the first officer approached. The suspect jumped fences and cut through properties as officers pursued him.

The Skywatch crew tracked the man to a nearby residence and saw him run inside, police said.

Officers surrounded the residence and ordered the occupants outside. The suspect, later identified as Joseph Flores, exited and was detained.

Police said Flores had changed his clothes after entering the residence. He was later positively identified as the suspect in the knife attack.

Flores was arrested and booked into the Fresno County Jail on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon, violating post-release community supervision, and resisting or delaying an officer.

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