Portales man sought in stabbing

Freedom New Mexico staff

A warrant was issued Friday morning for the suspect in a Wednesday stabbing, according to police.

Victor Sotelo, 25, of Portales, is wanted for aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, battery, two counts of aggravated assault and kidnapping, Clovis police Capt. Patrick Whitney said.

Sotelo is suspected of stabbing a 21-year-old Clovis man and assaulting a woman and another male who were with the victim at the time of the incident, he said.

Clovis and Portales law enforcement are collaborating because they believe Sotelo may have fled to his hometown after the incident, Whitney said.

The victim, a 21-year-old Clovis man, remained stable Friday after being stabbed multiple times Wednesday night, Whitney said.

The victim told police he was stabbed around 11 p.m. in the parking lot of Wendy’s restaurant on North Prince and drove himself to the parking lot of a business on 21st Street, where he met police and emergency responders, Whitney said.

He had been stabbed in the back, front torso and arm, Whitney said.

A witness said Sotelo confronted the victim, who was sitting in his parked car, and accused him of being involved with his girlfriend. The witness said Sotelo opened the driver’s door and began “shanking” the victim. He then fled the scene in a vehicle, a police report said.