Stabbing Victim Held On Narcotics Charge

A man stabbed in the abdomen Thursday afternoon in South Norwalk was later arrested for allegedly possessing crack cocaine with intent to sell.

Julio Velez was on Chestnut Street when he was stabbed in the abdomen, police said. He managed to walk to Monroe Street and staggered into Police Headquarters at 12:42 p.m.

Velez, 31, was taken by ambulance to Norwalk Hospital. While there, officers said they found he was carrying 38 bags of crack cocaine in the form of small rocks, and a baggy containing marijuana.

After treatment, he was transported back to Police Headquarters where he was charged with possession of a controlled narcotic substance with intent to sell, and possession of less than four ounces of marijuana.

Velez, of 28 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, was held on $25,000 bond and given a court date of Sept. 17.

Thursday afternoon, police said Velez was able to identify his assailant. The Detective Bureau has announced it has obtained an arrest warrant for that man, identified as 28-year-old Keith Preston, who'll be charged with first-degree assault.

Anyone with information regarding Keith Preston is asked to contact Det. Lou Giannattasio at 203-854-3191 or lgiannattasio@norwalkct.org.