BOSTON, May 23, 2018—The man accused of stabbing a Chelsea waitress in the neck after refusing to pay his bill is heading back to Massachusetts in police custody to face an attempted murder charge, Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley said.

Detectives assigned to the DA’s Special Investigations Unit took custody of GERARDO MENJIVAR, 36, today in Prince George’s County, Maryland, where he has been held since his arrest earlier this month. Menjivar is expected to appear tomorrow in Chelsea District Court on charges of armed assault with intent to murder and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon.

Menjivar, whose most recent address was in Lynn, is accused of walking out on his bill at the Las Pupusas Del Chino restaurant at about 11:00 on the night of May 7. When the victim followed him and confronted him on Blossom Street, he allegedly pulled a knife and stabbed her in the throat. Emergency medical personnel responded, rendered aid, and transported her to Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. She is expected to survive.

Using video footage, help from the public, and the assistance of federal partners, Chelsea Police detectives identified the assailant as Menjivar and obtained a warrant for his arrest. They worked with Massachusetts State Police, US Marshals, and other agencies to locate him. On May 10, US Marshals placed him under arrest in Beltsville, Maryland. Menjivar waived extradition proceedings at a court hearing the next day.

–30–

All defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.