SANTA PAULA : Man Hospitalized After Stabbing

A 34-year-old Santa Paula man was hospitalized in critical condition after another man walked into his home and stabbed him several times, a police spokesman said Monday.

Robert Macias was taken to Santa Paula Memorial Hospital at 11:10 p.m. Sunday after his girlfriend’s ex-husband entered the couple’s home in the 100 block of South 4th Street and stabbed him in the neck and abdomen, Cmdr. Mark Hanson said.

Police have arrested Jesus Gomez Rocha, 45, of Santa Paula on suspicion of attempted murder, Hanson said.

The suspect was reportedly upset over the victim’s relationship with Maria Rocha, 40, whom he had been divorced from for more than a year, Hanson said. Rocha had taped a large knife to his hand, apparently to prevent Macias from dislodging it in a struggle, he said. Rocha was booked into County Jail where he awaits arraignment Wednesday, a jail spokesman said.