Local News in Brief : Man Held in Stabbing of Officer on Freeway
A California Highway Patrol officer was stabbed by a transient walking on the Hollywood Freeway Friday morning, authorities said.
Officer Raymond Cronin Jr., 32, was treated at St. Joseph Medical Center in Burbank for two inch-deep wounds, CHP officer Kenn Rosenberg said. Cronin was released from the hospital.
Cronin’s life may have been saved by his bulletproof vest, which was pierced by a knife seven times, Rosenberg said.
Cronin spotted the suspect, Michael Prophet, 34, walking on the shoulder of the northbound lanes near Lankershim Boulevard about 9:30 a.m., Rosenberg said. Prophet was wandering in the right northbound lane by the time the patrolman got out of his car, Rosenberg said. When Cronin told Prophet to get back on the shoulder of the freeway, the transient drew a knife with a 3-inch blade and began slashing the officer, Rosenberg said.
Cronin hit Prophet with his baton, the spokesman said, and the two wrestled to the ground. Cronin soon overpowered Prophet and put him in handcuffs, Rosenberg said.
Prophet was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and was being held without bail in County Jail.
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