Ventura man stabbed 2 people in string of crimes within a half hour, police say

A man stabbed two people and assaulted and robbed another person in a series of back-to-back crimes in Ventura, police said Saturday.

Efrain Troncoso, 22, was arrested on suspicion of attacking multiple people with officers receiving 911 calls about violent crimes in the downtown area beginning at about 7:04 a.m. Friday, according to the Ventura Police Department. They were all reported from the area of Ash Street and Thompson Boulevard to the intersection of Palm Street and Santa Clara Street.

During the first call, someone reported he was stabbed in the back by a person on a bicycle in the 100 block of South Ash Street, according to police. While officers were helping him, police said, another person called 911 saying they were stabbed in the neck by a man in the area of the 200 block of South Chestnut Street - about two blocks away.

Two minutes later, someone called 911 saying they were struck in the head with a metal pipe and robbed near South Oak Street and East Santa Clara Street, police said. As officers searched for the attacker, they received another 911 call at 7:30 a.m. from a person who said they were robbed of their car keys at knifepoint in the 100 block of Palm Street.

When they got to the scene, police said, officers found Troncoso in a car he allegedly broke into and was trying to start.

He was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon, robbery and attempted vehicle theft, according to police.