Orland argument ends in stabbing

An argument about tattoos, and a possible gang connection, reportedly led to the stabbing of a San Jose man outside an Orland apartment building Tuesday afternoon.

It also led to the arrest of Javier Chavez, 26, of Orland, on suspicion of attempted murder, Orland police Chief J.C. Tolle said.

Orland police were dispatched to the Arch Apartments in the 100 block of North Sixth Street around 2:33 p.m. and discovered 31-year-old Steven Hernandez sitting in a chair in front of an apartment.

Hernandez had been stabbed four to six times with a knife, Tolle reported. He was airlifted to Enloe Medical Center in Chico, where he is recovering from the stab wounds and a collapsed lung.

Chavez, who fled on a bicycle when the officers arrived, was arrested about 4:15 after being spotted by Glenn County Interagency Narcotics Task Force agents on Papst Avenue at East Yolo Street, Tolle said.

The two men reportedly knew each another, Tolle said, and had been talking outside the Arch complex.

The two are believed to have rival gang affiliations. So when Hernandez revealed a tattoo, Chavez apparently took offense and reportedly started stabbing him, Tolle said.

Chavez is known to Orland police and has been in this area for awhile, the chief added. He did not know if Hernandez has ties to Orland.

Chavez was booked at the Glenn County Jail on suspicion of attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon, other than a firearm, and committing a felony while out on bail. Bail was set at $185,000.