W. Phila. man charged in stabbing of auto-shop owner
Police say Michael Pollard attacked Patrick Spinosa during a robbery.
A 20-year-old West Philadelphia man was charged Tuesday with robbing and assaulting an Elmwood auto-shop owner last fall, an attack that left the victim with more than two dozen stab wounds, according to police.
Malcolm Pollard of the 5600 block of Lansdowne Avenue was charged with robbery, theft, and related counts for attacking Patrick Spinosa, 62, the owner of Southwest Auto Tag Service Inc., 6249 Dicks Ave., according to Lt. John Walker of Southwest Detectives.
Pollard allegedly attacked Spinosa inside the shop around 5:30 p.m. Oct. 8, Walker said. At one point, according to Walker, Pollard tried to fire a gun at Spinosa, but it didn't go off. He subsequently found a knife and began stabbing Spinosa, Walker said. After the assault, Pollard left with Spinosa's wallet and phone, Walker said. Police said he locked Spinosa in the shop with dozens of stab wounds to his head, back, and arms.
Authorities were able to track Pollard down via the phone he stole from Spinosa, according to Walker. Pollard apparently fled to York, Pa., and was arrested in January by authorities there. Police initially charged him with robbing a 7-Eleven store in West Philadelphia the day before the auto-shop attack, Walker said. After further investigation, they tied Pollard to both attacks and charged him in both cases.
Spinosa still suffers from his injuries, Walker said. Pollard was arraigned Tuesday and is held on $1.5 million bail, Walker said.
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