Sentinel staff report–
The Citrus Heights Police Department on Monday night announced the arrest of a 35-year-old homeless man in connection with a fatal stabbing of another homeless man that occurred around 2 a.m. on Sunday.
According to a Jan. 22 news release, officers responded to a call around 1:53 a.m. in the 6400 block of Antelope Road where they discovered an unresponsive man with “significant injuries” laying on the ground outside a closed business. Attempts by officers and fire personnel to save the man were unsuccessful, and he was pronounced dead at the scene.
Police said the man’s identity is being withheld pending family notification, but the suspect who was arrested has been identified as Steven Cardenas.
The department’s investigation found that both the man who died and Cardenas are “part of the unhoused community and were acquainted,” according to the news release. Cardenas, who had several prior interactions and arrests with Citrus Heights police last year, was arrested around 7:40 p.m. on Jan. 22 in a joint operation with the Roseville Police Department.
Police are seeking further information about the incident and encourage anyone with knowledge to contact the Citrus Heights Police Department Crime Tip Line at (916) 727-5524 or to provide anonymous tips to the Sacramento Valley Crime Stoppers at 916-443-HELP.
The 6400 block of Antelope Road is home to several businesses, including Carl’s Jr., Wendy’s and Taco Bell. The police department did not identify which business the incident occurred in front of, other than to note it was closed when police arrived.
