By AP
RAMLE, ISRAEL –
Israeli police say the suspect in stabbings in three states also was a suspect in a stabbing attack in Israel earlier this year, but charges were never pressed.
A senior police commander says Elias Abuelazam was believed to have stabbed a close acquaintance during an argument in a parked car in central Israel about six months ago. The commander says police dropped the case because the victim refused to cooperate with investigators.
The commander spoke on condition of anonymity because he was barred from speaking to the media under official policy.
Abuelazam is suspected of attacking people in Michigan, Ohio and Virginia, leaving five people dead and 13 wounded. He was arrested Wednesday in Atlanta as he prepared to board a flight to his native Israel.