Walmart parking lot burglar allegedly attacks victim with pruning shears, Selma police say

A 50-year-old man was arrested in Selma on Thursday morning after he allegedly attempted to stab a man with pruning shears after a botched vehicle burglary.

He was identified as Jesse Hernandez.

Selma Chief of Police Joe Gomez said officer Daniel Battenfield received a call for help at the city’s Walmart Center, in the 3400 block of Floral Avenue, about 10:20 a.m. The victim reported that Hernandez was trying to steal something from his truck when the victim interrupted him. Hernandez then tried to stab him in the stomach with the shears. The victim ran into the store to escape and call police.

Hernandez ran behind the store, where an officer took him into custody and booked him on charges of assault with a deadly weapon as well as possessing a prohibited dagger in his pocket.

Gomez said Hernandez is originally from Kingsburg, but has been living in Selma as a transient.

This story was originally published March 26, 2020 at 1:10 PM.