Grover Beach man arrested in stabbing

Grover Beach police arrested a man on suspicion of attempted murder Wednesday in connection with a stabbing that occurred in a transient camp the night before.

Andrew A. Lerma, 26, of Grover Beach was taken into custody at a home on the 400 block of North 12th Street in Grover Beach after an overnight and all-day investigation, according to police Chief John Peters.

Police and Five Cities Fire officials responded to a report of a stabbing about 6:55 p.m. Tuesday at a camp near the train station on Highway 1. They found a 28-year-old male victim with serious injuries from at least one stab wound in the torso. The assailant had fled the scene.

The victim was taken to Sierra Vista Regional Medical Center in San Luis Obispo and underwent surgery Tuesday night. The victim’s condition was unknown on Wednesday.

Southbound Highway 1 from Grand Avenue to Pier Avenue was closed Tuesday night while officers investigated, ultimately developing information that identified the suspect as Lerma.

Lerma was booked into County Jail on suspicion of attempted murder and numerous misdemeanors. He remained in custody Wednesday evening in lieu of $522,000 bail.

This story was originally published January 6, 2016 at 7:12 PM with the headline "Grover Beach man arrested in stabbing."