RIVERHEAD, NY — A Guatemalan national has been indicted on multiple felony charges following two separate and unprovoked stabbing incidents that occurred within an hour in Riverhead, Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney announced Friday.
Rene Alexander Elias Chaj, 23, was arraigned on an indictment for two counts of Assault in the Second Degree and two counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree, all Class D violent felonies. The attacks took place on May 2 and involved victims who were strangers to the defendant, prosecutors said.
According to the investigation, the first stabbing occurred at approximately 3:15 p.m. while Elias Chaj and the victim were seated at the Time to Eat Deli on West Main Street. Authorities say Elias Chaj allegedly stabbed the man in his left side without warning. The victim was airlifted to Stony Brook University Hospital for treatment.
Roughly 30 minutes later, Elias Chaj boarded a Suffolk County Transit bus at the County Center in Riverhead. Around 3:51 p.m., he allegedly stood up and stabbed a second man seated behind him, puncturing the victim’s lung. The second victim was reportedly looking down at his phone when the attack occurred.
Suspect arrested fleeing on foot, cocaine allegedly found
Following the bus stabbing, Elias Chaj fled the vehicle and ran northbound along County Road 51. Officers from the Southampton Police Department located and arrested him shortly afterward. A clear ziplock bag containing a white powdery substance that tested positive for cocaine was allegedly found in his possession at the time of arrest.
On Friday, Supreme Court Justice John B. Collins ordered Elias Chaj held on $300,000 cash, $600,000 bond, or $3,000,000 secured bond. He is scheduled to return to court on June 4 and faces up to 14 years in prison if convicted.
The Department of Homeland Security has filed a detainer request for advance notification should Elias Chaj be released from custody.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Ashley Stapleton of the Major Crime Bureau.
Rene Elias Chaj is accused of randomly stabbing two strangers in Riverhead and faces up to 14 years in prison if convicted.
