Homeless man allegedly stabbed off-duty Florida police officer and stole patrol car

GREENACRES, Fla. (CBS12) – The suspect who stabbed an off-duty deputy and stole his patrol car has been caught, according to the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office (PBSO).

According to PBSO, the off-duty deputy went to a dry cleaner's business in the shopping center at the intersection of S. Jog Road and Lake Worth Road on Tuesday afternoon. He left the engine running when he went inside to pick up his clothes.

Then the officer became aware of an armed robbery that took place in the dry cleaners.

According to PBSPO, the deputy attempted to confront the suspected robber, but this resulted in the suspect stabbing the deputy once in the arm and again in the chest.

After the stabbing, the suspect jumped into the officer's patrol car and fled the scene, according to PBSO. The suspect eventually exited the patrol car about a mile from the crime scene.

According to Sheriff Ric Bradshaw, a second off-duty deputy who was near the scene of the accident immediately responded and helped stop the injured deputy's bleeding.

After the incident, the officer was taken to hospital for surgery and is in stable condition, officials said.

PBSO confirms the suspect was homeless and was found hiding in a nearby library. He was arrested with the help of surveillance cameras and community members.

“Deputies went over, searched the library and found his bathroom. Do you know what he did? He shaved off his goatee. He had taken off a shirt that was covered in blood, threw it in the trash and put on another shirt,” Sheriff Ric Bradshaw told CBS12 News. “It's a good story that shows how well community policing efforts work to reduce homicide and crime.”

The suspect was identified as 73-year-old Glen Gotell. He was charged with armed robbery, aggravated assault and attempted murder of a police officer.

Gotell's first appearance is scheduled for Wednesday at 10 a.m.