Camarillo man pleads not guilty to attempted murder following bar stabbing

Police say altercation over suspect's girlfriend



A Camarillo man has pleaded not guilty to charges of attempted murder in connection with a stabbing that stemmed from a fight over a woman at Outlaw’s Grill and Saloon, authorities said. 

Investigators said the suspect, Alejandro Rojas, 45, was inside the bar around 2 a.m. Nov. 19 when he got into a fight with a 53-year-old man. 

The victim was stabbed multiple times, police said. 

Sheriff’s Sgt. Tim Lohman said police were called to investigate and an ambulance was sent for the victim. 

“While the person was en route to the hospital his condition worsened. So he was immediately put into surgery to repair some of the injuries that occurred from the stab wounds,” Lohman said. The victim was later listed in stable condition. 

By the time police arrived at the bar in the 2100 block of Pickwick Drive, the assailant was gone. 

Deputies said Rojas punctured the tires on the victim’s car before leaving the area. 

Lohman said the investigation showed that while the victim was at the bar, he talked to Rojas’ girlfriend, which upset her. 

Rojas was arrested without incident at 4:45 the following afternoon, police said. 

“The suspect and the victim did not know each other. There was an argument between the two which resulted in the suspect stabbing the victim,” he said. 

Prosecutors filed charges including attempted murder and vandalism, according to court documents. 

Rojas is also facing a special allegation that he already has convictions for two strike offenses on his record, including at least one serious or violent felony. 

Rojas was being held at the Main Jail in Ventura in lieu of $1.08 million bail. 

He’s due back in court Dec. 6 for an early disposition conference.