Man Accused of Stabbing, Robbing Teen in State College

Police arrested a Port Matilda man early Monday morning after he allegedly stabbed a 16-year-old at a State College apartment complex.

State College police officers responded at about 1 a.m. to Parkway Plaza, 3000 Plaza Drive, where the teen said he was stabbed by a male later identified as Emanuel Cespedes, 18.

The teen said he was with two other juveniles and Cespedes in an apartment and stepped out onto the balcony. When he returned, Cespedes allegedly punched him in the face and yelled “you set me up to get robbed.” While the teen was on the ground, Cespedes continued assaulting him with what appeared to be a machete, according to an affidavit of probable cause.

Police said Cespedes and the other two juveniles then left the apartment with the teen’s backpack.

The teen’s injuries included lacerations on his shoulder, ankle and arm, according to the affidavit. He was taken by ambulance to UPMC Altoona for treatment and has since been released, police said.

According to the affidavit, a vehicle matching the description of Cespedes’ car was spotted on the 100 block of South Pugh Street. Officers, one of whom recognized Cespedes from a prior traffic stop, initially made “a mere encounter contact” with Cespedes “then broke contact” after speaking to him. After obtaining a physical description of the alleged assailant, they realized it matched Cespedes. They obtained a photo of Cespedes and showed it to the teen, who identified him as the man who assaulted him, police wrote

Officers then went to Cespedes’ Port Matilda home and took him into custody.

Cespedes is charged with first-degree felony counts of aggravated assault and robbery, misdemeanor counts of simple assault and receiving stolen property and a summary count of harassment.

He was arraigned by District Judge Steven Lachman and was unable to post $150,000 straight bail.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for June 14.