BART stabbing suspect faces attempted murder

Police arrested 34-year-old Jovany Portades on suspicion of attempted murder after he allegedly stabbed a woman aboard a BART train in an unprovoked attack.

SAN FRANCISCO - A suspect faces an attempted murder charge in what officials describe as an unprovoked stabbing aboard a BART train in San Francisco.

Jovany Portades, 34, was taken into custody Sunday after BART police arrested him at Oakland's Fruitvale Station. A station agent who had seen Portades alerted authorities.

The stabbing occurred on Saturday at around 8:10 a.m. on an Antioch-bound train as it approached the 24th and Mission Street Station in San Francisco.

A 54-year-old woman injured in the attack is listed in serious condition at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital.

Portades, who had been involved in a robbery in Alameda County earlier this year, had the case dismissed as part of a plea deal where he had to admit to a probation violation.

BART passengers on Monday who had heard about the attack said it was at the top of their minds as they rode the train.

"I did hear about this case though, and it did scare me a little bit," said rider Gwen Allen. However, she said she usually feels safe riding BART.

Another rider, Maria Judice, said she also feels safe on BART, but acknowledged there are times when she would prefer more security.

"Security isn't necessarily guns and police, but I do think security is ambassadors and people with their eyes open to make situations a little bit safer for those who are riding," said Judice.

While Portades is being held in Alameda County, he will be charged in San Francisco.

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