Stabbing incident leads to arrest

STREATOR – A 27-year-old Streator man was arrested this week following a reported stabbing incident in South Streator.

Livingston County Sheriff Tony Childress says Matthew Lopez was taken into custody without incident at Carriage Lane Estates. Lopez was charged with aggravated battery and remained jailed this week on a $150,000 bond. Additional charges are possible as the investigation is ongoing, according to the sheriff.

Around 4 a.m. Wednesday, sheriff patrol units responded to a possible stabbing in the area of Carriage Lane Estates. Authorities determined the victim was slashed with a “Rambo style” knife which led to severe bleeding. Local EMS responded to the scene and the victim was reportedly transported to St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria for emergency surgery.

The name of the victim has not been released. Agencies assisting Livingston County included the Livingston County State’s Attorney’s Office, Sheriff’s Office patrol detectives, Pontiac Drug Unit and Proactive Unit.