Man arrested in Texas for 2010 Grover Beach machete attack
December 21, 2016
After more than six years on the run, a man who allegedly carried out a bloody machete attack in Grover Beach is now sitting in San Luis Obispo County Jail. Damaso Labra, 41, was arrested in Texas.
Around 9:30 on the night of July 31, 2010, Labra allegedly entered a man’s home on South 13th Street and, without saying a word, began hacking at him with a black machete. The attack left the victim with gashes to his head and arms.
Labra then fled and was last seen driving a faded red Buick with tinted windows.
Labra and the victim had physically fought one another earlier on the day of the attack, according to the Grover Beach Police Department. Labra’s brother attempted to break up the machete attack and was also injured.
Following the attack, Grover Beach detectives determined Labra was no longer in the area. Police officials submitted the case to the San Luis Obispo County District Attorney’s Office with a request that a warrant be issued for Labra. SLO County Superior Court then issued an arrest warrant with a $1 million bond.
Labra was recently arrested on that warrant in Del Rio, Texas, where he had been living, a Grover Beach Police Department news release states.
Early last month, the United States Marshals Office contacted Grover Beach police and notified them that Labra had been arrested. It is unclear how authorities tracked him down.
Labra has since been extradited to San Luis Obispo County. Officers booked Labra in SLO County Jail on Dec. 4.
The suspect remains in jail with his bail set at $1 million. He is awaiting prosecution on charges of attempted murder, possession of a deadly weapon and assault with a deadly weapon while inflicting great bodily injury.
Meanwhile, Grover Beach police have re-opened the investigation into the case, and detectives are following up on leads. The police department requests that anyone who has further information about the case call Detective Brad Carey at 805-473-4511.
The comments below represent the opinion of the writer and do not represent the views or policies of CalCoastNews.com. Please address the Policies, events and arguments, not the person. Constructive debate is good; mockery, taunting, and name calling is not. Comment Guidelines