Cottonwood police are looking for a suspect in an alleged stabbing on Friday, Dec. 8.
Benjamin Fabian Pita is a 23-year-old Native American man, described as 6 feet tall, weighing 165 pounds, with black hair, brown eyes and numerous tattoos. Pita was last seen wearing a black-and-yellow shirt.
Pita is currently on supervised federal parole and the FBI has been notified of probable cause exists to arrest Pita, according to Cottonwood police Sgt. Monica Kuhlt.
On Friday, Dec. 8, at approximately 6:30 p.m., Cottonwood police responded to a report of a stabbing victim at the Quick Country Store on 4100 Western Drive in the Verde Villages. The stabbing occurred in the area of State Route 260 and Thousand Trails minutes before the 9-1-1 call.
Pita allegedly stabbed the 53-year-old victim numerous times in the face, neck, arm and chest while the victim was driving and Pita was the passenger, according to police. All occupants of the vehicle are known to each other, according to police, however, the motive is still unclear.
Pita allegedly jumped out of the vehicle in the area of Thousand Trails and fled on foot and has not been located, according to police.
Another passenger reportedly moved the victim to the passenger seat and they drove to the Country Store where they called 9-1-1, according to police.
The victim was flown to Flagstaff Medical Center due to the seriousness of his injuries and extreme blood loss. He is currently listed in serious condition.
An Arizona Department of Public Safety Ranger helicopter assisted in attempting to locate Pita using FLIR thermal imaging cameras and numerous other agencies assisted in the search.
More information will be released when available. Contact the Cottonwood Police Department at (928) 634-4246.
UPDATE
Federal agents with the U.S. Marshal’s Office located and apprehended Benjamin Fabian Pita in Tucson on Thursday, Dec. 14, according to a press release issued late Monday, Dec. 18.
Pita was arrested and booked on a federal parole violation warrant. Pita will remain in the Marshal’s custody until the federal case is adjudicated.
Once his federal case is adjudicated federal agencies will be in contact with the Yavapai County Attorney’s Office Warrant Division regarding Pita’s extradition to Yavapai County to face felony charges related to the stabbing.
On Dec. 8, Pita was a passenger in a vehicle traveling in the area of Thousand Trails and State Route 260 when he allegedly stabbed the driver numerous times in the face, neck arm and chest.
The victim survived the attack and a second passenger drove the car to a nearby gas station where they were met by emergency crews. The victim was then airlifted to Flagstaff Medical Center. The victim has since been released from the hospital.
Pita remained at large until the 14th when he was arrested.
