A regular Monday afternoon in downtown London took a terrifying turn when a workplace confrontation escalated into a violent stabbing that left one person fighting for their life.
The incident unfolded around 3:30 p.m. on July 7th in the 500-block of Richmond Street, where staff at a local establishment encountered a man loitering behind their building. What started as a routine request to leave the property quickly spiraled into something much more serious.
When employees asked the individual to move along, he didn’t just refuse – he became disruptive and pulled out a knife. The situation escalated rapidly as the suspect stabbed one of the employees before making his escape on a scooter, leaving chaos in his wake.
A witness immediately called 9-1-1, bringing emergency services rushing to the scene. London Police Service officers were among the first responders, with one officer providing crucial first aid to the victim before paramedics took over. The injured employee was rushed to hospital with what police described as life-threatening injuries.
The London Police Service’s Patrol Operations Investigative Section took charge of the case, diving deep into the evidence. Video surveillance from the area proved to be the game-changer investigators needed, helping them identify the suspect who had fled the scene.
The investigation moved swiftly from there. Officers were able to track down 33-year-old Leslie Jacob James Dentelbeck, a London resident, who was arrested the following morning by the Community Foot Patrol team.
Dentelbeck now faces serious charges including aggravated assault and breach of probation. The breach charge suggests this wasn’t his first run-in with the law, adding another layer to an already troubling incident.
The victim remained hospitalized as of the police announcement, while Dentelbeck was held in custody awaiting his court appearance. He was scheduled to face a London judge in relation to these charges.
London Police Service emphasized their commitment to public safety and violence reduction in their statement about the arrest. They highlighted how quickly they were able to identify and apprehend the suspect through collaborative efforts with various agencies and members of the public.
The downtown core incident serves as a reminder of how unpredictable workplace situations can become, especially when dealing with individuals who may be experiencing personal difficulties or legal troubles.
Anyone with additional information about this incident is being asked to contact the London Police Service at (519) 661-5670 or reach out to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477. Tips can also be submitted anonymously online through London Middlesex Crime Stoppers.
The case highlights the rapid response capabilities of London’s emergency services and the effectiveness of modern surveillance technology in solving violent crimes. The Community Foot Patrol’s successful arrest also demonstrates the various specialized units working together to keep London’s streets safe.