24-year-old loses tip of finger when 29-year-old housemate tries
to kill him with knife
A 29-year-old man was arrested in connection with the stabbing of 24-year-old housemate, who lost the tip of his finger in the attack. Both of the men live in a north Gilroy home that, at times, housed at least a dozen people, police and neighbors said.
Eluid Aguilar Hidalgo, 29, was arrested Saturday after trying to kill his housemate at 791 Maria Way with a knife, police said. Police recommended Hidalgo be charged with attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon, aggravated mayhem and being under the influence of a controlled substance, police said.
Maria Way’s well manicured homes and friendly, close-knit neighbors comprised a peaceful neighborhood, save for the one green house that neighbors likened to Grand Central Station. The neighborhood is home to many longtime residents, any of whom will offer a helping hand or a recipe’s missing ingredient, neighbors said. The home where the stabbing took place houses a group of people who just don’t fit, they added.
The 1,900-square-foot, four-bedroom home has housed more than 12 people at a time and neighbors said they see a steady stream of adults and children coming and going around the clock. With a tiny scooter propped against a post next to the front door and holiday lights still lining the roof’s edge, the house that caused so much commotion Saturday night sat empty and silent Monday morning. Surprising, neighbors said, considering that eight or nine cars often spill from the driveway and into the street. No one answered a knock at the door Monday morning.
Although neighbors don’t remember hearing a disturbance related to the attack, they said they were kept awake by the flashing lights and sirens about 10 police cars, a fire truck and an ambulance. When police arrived, they bandaged the victim’s head and hand, then loaded him into an ambulance on a stretcher. The man – whose name police did not release – was taken to a San Jose hospital. Though police found the tip of the victim’s finger and brought ot the hospital, doctors could reattach it.
Police found Hidalgo in the carport of the residence, handcuffed him and took him away in a police car, neighbors and police said.
Since moving in more than a year ago, the group of people that inhabit 791 Maria Way have been “nothing but trouble,” said one neighbor, who wished to remain anonymous for fear of retribution. Loud music, a never ending stream of traffic and drinking characterize a normal night at the residence. Neighbors said that Saturday was not the first time the police showed up at the house.
Neighbors noticed that the inhabitants had installed drywall partitions in their garage only months after moving in. This was probably an effort to house even more people at the crowded house, neighbors added. With no permit, they were eventually forced to remove the drywall. Code Enforcement Officer Scott Barron said there is no city ordinance regulating how many people can live in a home.
Still, the number of occupants remained high and the house continued to serve as a source of worry for neighbors.
“You never know what’s going to happen over there,” said a neighbor. “That house is bringing our property value down. Who wants to live in a block where there’s been an attempted murder?”
