An alleged theft at an Encinitas Home Depot escalated to violence when a man was accused of stabbing a bystander who tried to prevent the suspected shoplifting incident. The altercation occurred Saturday morning, on the 1000 block of North El Camino Real, when, according to witnesses, a man attempted to leave the store without paying for merchandise.

Three individuals intervened, at which time the suspect reportedly brandished a knife and stabbed one of the intervener. Following the stabbing, the perpetrator fled the scene. The victim, a 51-year-old man, received emergency aid from deputies of the North Coastal Sheriff's Station, who were able to apply a tourniquet to stem the bleeding. Paramedics from the Encinitas Fire Department then transported him to the hospital to treat his non-life-threatening injuries.

Initial efforts by authorities to locate the suspect, immediately after the attack, were unsuccessful. However, as deputies continued their investigation, they were alerted by witnesses who had spotted the suspect. Responding to the tip, law enforcement established a perimeter and arrested Hernan Padilla, born January 4, 1999, in the vicinity of 7900 block of Anillo Way in Carlsbad.

Following his apprehension, Padilla received treatment for injuries sustained during his attempted escape. He was later booked into the Vista Detention Facility on a charge of assault with a deadly weapon, as reported in a statement obtained by the San Diego County Sheriff's Department. For further inquiries, media contact Sergeant Giovani Pantoja provided an email address along with a contact number for the North Coastal Sheriff's Station.