Man attacked with knife after confronting suspected truck thief

David A. Janish, 27, was charged with theft and assault after an incident Saturday over a stolen vehicle, police said.

Daniel Kolsto of Cedar Rapids spotted his pickup, reported stolen July 24, about about 5:15 p.m. Saturday outside the Autozone auto parts store, 1605 16th Ave. SW, Sgt. Cristy Hamblin said.

Kolsto, 35 confronted Janish in the store. Janish pulled a knife, cut Kolsto on the left forearm, and left the area on foot. Kolsto called police and went to Mercy Medical Center for treatment of a minor injury.

Police tracked Janish to a home in Palo, where he hid in the basement and refused to come out. Sheriff's deputies eventually arrested him and took him to the county jail.

Janish, who didn't list an address when booked into jail, remains in jail in lieu of $56,500 bond. He's charged with willful injury causing bodily injury, second-degree theft, and interference with official acts.

It's not the first time Janish stabbed someone over a vehicle. He pleaded guilty in May to assault while displaying a weapon in the Feb. 20 incident in which he stabbed Peter Borchardt, 29, of New Hampton, and took his wallet.

Police said Borchardt went to 161 Eastview Dr. NW to look at a car listed for sale, but no one answered the door. Whole Borchardt was looking at the vehicle, four people came out of the house and attacked him and a companion.

Charged with first-degree robbery, Janish pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of assault while displaying a weapon. Judge Denver Dillard gave Janish a suspended sentence and the 77 days he'd spent in jail.