Man arrested in security guard stabbing at Chase Bank on Upper East Side
UPPER EAST SIDE, Manhattan (WABC) -- The man police say attacked a bank security guard on the Upper East Side has been charged with attempted murder and assault.
Police say Jorge Santiago, 34, stabbed the security guard in the neck at a Chase Bank branch on Friday morning.
It happened in the branch on East 86th Street, as police say the guard was attempted to escort Santiago from the location.
Authorities say the dispute began prior to the opening of the bank at 9 a.m., after the customer arrived early and was told the bank was not open yet.
The man became agitated and questioned why some people were being let in. He was told they were workers.
When the bank opened, the customer went to the teller and attempted to conduct business.
He was told the branch could not complete his transaction and instead was given an 800 number to call, and he then began acting belligerently.
The manager was called over, attempted to calm him down, and after a brief conversation, told the man he had to leave.
The 59-year-old private security guard attempted to walk the man to the door, and a verbal dispute ensued.
It then escalated and became physical, and the guard was stabbed in the neck, police said.
He was rushed to Cornell Hospital in critical condition, but officials said late Friday that he had stabilized and is expected to survive.
The suspect fled the scene, and Santiago was arrested around 1 a.m. Saturday. Police said he had two knives in his possession.
Santiago was charged with attempted murder, assault and criminal possession of a weapon.
"Our thoughts are with the security guard and his family, and we are cooperating with police," Chase Bank spokesperson Briana Curran said.
The attacker was described as a Hispanic man with a white shirt and long curly hair.
He fled on foot westbound on East 86th Street.
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