EXCLUSIVE: STABBING SUSPECT STILL ON LOOSE, PATAGONIA ON EDGE — SCHOOL INCREASES SECURITY

By Hilde Kate Lysiak

Three days after allegedly stabbing a local woman in the neck several times suspect Charles Van Nest is still on the loose — and the community is on edge.

Law Enforcement exclusively told the OSN they are following several leads. Most recently, authorities received a report that Van Nest was spotted hiding under a trailer near Third Avenue. They searched the area, but found nothing, according to Santa Cruz County Sheriff Tony Estrada, whose office is assisting with the investigation.

“We got a report that he was hiding under a trailer but that was false,” Estrada told the OSN.

The OSN was on the scene as officers showed up assisted by border patrol in bullet proof vests and had weapons drawn.

“I can’t say anything,” an officer at the scene told the Orange Street News.

Law enforcement have also been checking in with Van Nest’s relatives and employers.

“This morning we checked if he checked into work and he didn’t,” he added.

Three days after the terrible crime the small town of Patagonia is on edge.

On Saturday night the Youth Center was on lock down after the reported sighting and this morning the Patagonia School district released a message on Facebook letting parents know they have increased security.

“Due to the incident that occurred this weekend involving active members of our school community, additional precautions are being taking; including a higher than normal la enforcement presence,” the message read.

“I can’t say anything,” an officer at the scene told the Orange Street News.

The Patagonia Youth Center, which is across from the trailer park, was on “lock down” as children were ordered to stay inside the building.

A friend of Van Nest told the Orange Street News that the suspect knows the area very well and could stay hidden. He added that he didn’t believe Vannest would go down easily.

The friend added that he believes Van Nest was under the influence of prescription drugs.

“He is not going down without a fight,” a friend of Van Nest told the Orange Street News.

The Orange Street News has received the name of the victim, but is withholding from publishin. Sources told the OSN that the victim was in critical condition, but is expected to survive.

Sources told the OSN that the victim knew her attacker and that the 911 call was made by the victim’s daughter.

“It is a domestic situation,” a source told the OSN.

While the town is desperately looking for answers, the Patagonia Marshal’s office, which is the lead agency investigating the crime, has refused repeated requests for comment or to release a picture of the suspect to the media.

When the OSN entered the Patagonia Marshal’s office on Saturday morning they would only confirm that there was an incident but falsely warned the OSN that publishing the story would be “illegal” because it was a “medical call.” 

Last February, the marshal incorrectly told the OSN that taping him was illegal and threatened to have the OSN thrown into “juvie.” The town later apologized.

If anyone has more information please contact Hilde Lysiak at 570-259-9874, or Hildelysiak@gmail.com.