Photo: Jordan Smith / San Luis Obispo Police Department
A transient in the San Luis Obispo area has been arrested after allegedly attacking another man with a machete during a confrontation at a homeless encampment.
Just before noon on Thursday, September 10, police responded to the area of Bob Jones Trail near Prado to find 40-year-old Mato Hayes bleeding from multiple lacerations. Hayes was quickly transported to and treated at a local hospital.
It wasn’t long before police identified 23-year-0ld Jordan Smith, a local transient, as the primary suspect. Reports say Smith and Hayes had gotten into an argument over property at Smith’s camp, with Smith ultimately setting fire to Hayes’ tent and attacking him with two machetes.
Investigators, who were already aware of Smith through previous interactions, tracked him to the creek area near Bob Jones Trailhead and arrested him after a short foot pursuit.
Smith has since been booked on suspicion of attempted murder, among other charges.
