Police: Santa Rosa stabbing victim disappears

An investigation into a stabbing of a homeless man hit snags Tuesday, including inconsistent information and a victim who has disappeared, according to an investigation sergeant.

The 41-year-old victim suffered an arm wound during an altercation Saturday night with two men near Railroad Square, just west of downtown.

He underwent surgery and left the hospital ahead of being released and before a police interview, Santa Rosa police Sgt. Josh Ludtke said Tuesday.

Ludtke said the 11:30 p.m. incident occurred on Third Street, just west of Highway 101. The victim told police two men he didn’t know attacked him for no reason. A witness told police there was yelling from both parties prior to a fight, Ludtke said.

The victim walked to the nearby Catholic Charities office and reported the attack. Police and the Sonoma County Sheriff’s helicopter conducted an unsuccessful search for the suspects.

The victim, whose name wasn’t released by police, is well known to officers, Ludtke said. Downtown officers and detectives have been looking for him to get more information. Detectives on Tuesday also were seeking more witnesses and surveillance video.

- Randi Rossmann