Man Allegedly Attacks Corona Gym Patron with Knife, Hatchet

CORONA (CNS) – A 30-year-old man suspected of assaulting a fitness club patron in Corona with a hatchet and knife, wounding him until the victim overpowered the suspect, was being held Wednesday without bail Wednesday.

Ronald Vikash Chand of Santa Ana was arrested Tuesday morning inside the Planet Fitness at 3685 Grand Oaks, near Cajalco Road. Chand was booked into the Robert Presley Jail in Riverside on suspicion of attempted murder and assault with a deadly weapon resulting in great bodily injury.

According to the Corona Police Department, a 41-year-old Riverside man, whose name was not released, was in the fitness club parking lot when Chand confronted him shortly after 9 a.m., wielding a hatchet and knife.

Without provocation, the suspect allegedly struck the victim with the hatchet and stabbed him with the knife, resulting in "stab wounds to the upper body," prompting the man to retreat into the Planet Fitness, police Sgt. Jason Waldon said.

"While inside, Chand held the victim at knifepoint for a short period before being taken to the ground by the victim and was disarmed and detained with the assistance of bystanders," Waldon said.

He said gym employees called 911, and patrol officers reached the location minutes later, taking Chand into custody without further incident.

"The victim was transported to a local hospital for treatment of non- life-threatening injuries and has since been released," the sergeant said.

Chand suffered an unspecified minor injury and was also medically treated before being booked into jail, according to Waldon.

A possible motive for the attack remains unknown.

Background information on Chand was unavailable.

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