Farm worker is stabbed in argument

9/25/2007

CARLETON, Mich. - A farm worker was in surgical intensive care last night after he was stabbed in the abdomen by a co-worker yesterday during an argument while they were harvesting produce for Ruhlig Farms in a field at Scofield-Carleton and Martinsville roads, the Monroe County Sheriff's Office said.

Javier Lopez, 52, was flown to St. Joseph Mercy Hospital, Ypsilanti, Mich.

After the stabbing, which occurred about 10:45 a.m., Mr. Lopez returned to the farm on Sumpter Road in his vehicle to get help; his assailant fled on foot from the field in Exeter Township, deputies said.

The suspect, Hector Cruz, was captured late in the afternoon several miles from the field at a gas station at Blazer and Blue Bush roads in Maybee, Mich. He was expected to be booked into the county jail last night, authorities said.