Bella Vista Man Fatally Stabbed Following Confrontation Over Robbery

A resident of Bella Vista Village is dead following a stabbing incident on Tuesday afternoon. The victim has been identified as 40-year-old Franklin Alas. Reports are that just before 2 o’clock, Alas was riding his bicycle along an unnamed street in the village when he was attacked by a man known only as Santiago. It is alleged that earlier, Alas had confronted Santiago about a robbery that occurred at his home. After the confrontation, Alas rode off, but Santiago allegedly pursued him, eventually catching up and stabbing him in the upper right chest. Alas fell from his bicycle as a result of the injury. Santiago fled the scene but was captured by police a few blocks away. Authorities arrived at the scene and transported Alas’ body to the Punta Gorda morgue in a police vehicle. A post-mortem examination is pending as police continue their investigation.