NEW UPDATE: Witness: Marudas out and back home by 1:30 pm
A neighbor of Jimmy Maroutes Marudas has reported that he saw Marudas out of police custody and back at his home in Ocean Beach by 1:30 pm. No more details are available, other than to say this neighbor saw Jimmy “cleaning up his garage and side walk area”.
UPDATE: See below
OCEAN BEACH – In a breaking news development, a well-known Ocean Beach local has just been arrested for the stabbing of a woman in Point Loma on Saturday.
Jimmy Marudas Maroutes, who has lived on Voltaire Street for decades, was taken away by San Diego police this morning, Sunday, Feb. 15, at approximately 10 a.m.
We spoke to Marudas’ conservator, Dan Zolezzi, by phone, and he told the OB Rag that he believed that Marudas, who has been diagnosed with schizophrenia, was arrested by police for the stabbing.
At the moment of the phone interview, Zolezzi was standing in front of Marudas’ house at 4427 Voltaire Street in Ocean Beach. He was there along with neighbors who had been rousted out of their peaceful Sundays by a police helicopter flying low overhead. Zolezzi, an attorney, left the interview to investigate Marudas’ whereabouts and exact status. He believed he may have been taken to Western Division headquarters for questioning. One neighbor said that police told them that he was not “arrested” but taken in for questioning and that they would return him to his house.
Marudas is known for walking around his northeast Ocean Beach neighborhood looking for items he finds in trash or recycling bins, or simply left out in the allies for scavengers. He’s done this for decades. His house used to be known for having narrow walkways in between huge stacks of stuff that he had found in his walks.
One neighbor said of the stabbing, “that doesn’t sound like Marudas.” The stabbing, as reported by the U-T San Diego, had occurred on Saturday when a woman motorist had stopped to ask a man who was pushing a stroller for directions, when he turned on her, stabbing her in the thigh and attempting to steal her purse.
The assailant is described as around 40, white, about 6 feet tall, 200 pounds, with curly black hair, wearing a red shirt, dark shorts and black gloves with the fingers cut out.
The stabbing is reported to have occurred in an alley off Santa Monica Avenue near Santa Barbara Avenue around 3:45 pm on Saturday. The woman driver had stopped the man but instead ended up his victim when he stabbed her in a thigh with a steak knife and then tried to grab her purse off the passenger seat. The two struggled and he took off without her bag. She was taken to a hospital.
UPDATE:
It has come to the attention of the OB Rag that Marudas was at the Green Store on Voltaire Street at approximately 3 pm on Saturday. Kip Krueger – who paints small signs out in front of the store – spoke to him at the ecology center, as Marudas often comes by, Krueger said.
Kip Krueger told the OB Rag that Marudas was pushing a stroller, as his bike had been stolen. Kip said that Marudas was wearing a plain, maroon T-shirt and jeans. “He never wears shorts,” Kip said of him. And he didn’t wear any gloves, Krueger added.
Krueger described Maroutes as 5 feet 8 inches and that his hair, although curly, is not black, but more salt and pepper, mostly gray.
Marudas, who is 75 years of age, has lived in his house all his life. His father had died in the 1970s, Krueger believed, and his mom died in the 1980s.
(tip o’hat to Stu Seymour)
New spelling: Maroudis
{ 41 comments… read them below or add one }
No way! Jimmy would never stab someone out of the blue for no reason at all! And his hair is not black, not anymore anyway. And he is obviously not 40. Maybe someone stole his stroller from him before they robbed the lady. And he would not rob anyone for that matter.
I heard the helicopter earlier and wondered what was going on. Why all the fanfare? I’m quite certain he would’ve come out of his house willingly. I know this guy, he’s my neighbor, I do NOT think for a minute he would ever try to steal anything (regardless of the NUMEROUS times people have stolen from and cheated HIM) and he would certainly never attack someone (in spite of the fact that he, himself, has been beaten up and insulted, because of his disability). And I’ve never seen him wear shorts in 20 yrs, either.
Frank do keep us up to date.
If any one got stabbed by Jimmy their first dscription would be about his bushy eyebrows.
I hope he has someone with him while being questioned…like a lawyer!
I’ve known him for over forty years, have never seen him as much as angry, and never in shorts.
There is no way Jimmy would do anything like this, never? i knew Jimmy
for twenty years. I would not trust the SDPD one bit. not left alone with
Jimmy. Jimmy needs a good lawyer who can work for pro bono.
wayne silva
Albuquerque
As of 4:15 pm Sunday, Maroutes was not listed on the Sheriff Dept website that lists those in jail.
I have never seen Jimmy do anything aggressive and he would not steal. He is also well under 6 ft. and not even close to 200 lbs.
My heart goes out to the victim. In an alley, as described, I may not have stopped. I’ve lived on Point Loma for fifty five years. I first met Jimmy when I was a little kid. Our cops are smart. He won’t spend the night in custody.
I saw him taken away this morning and Drove by his house around 1:30 and he was back and cleaning up his garage and side walk area. His conservator was also there. So his stay with the PD was short and hopefully everything is taken care of.
I can imagine Jimmy hurtng anyone and certainly not on purpose.
Well that’s a huge relief. It was completely unnecessary for the police to embarrass him, in this way.
Thanks Stu, for the update.
I have know Jim for years and violence is not in his nature.
Jimmy’s name is spelled Marudas! M A R U D A S!!!!
Paula – Thanks. I got the other spelling from Mr Zolezzi over the phone, but it wasn’t a great connection.
I am Surprised –how THAT Description, led to Jimmy ….So Wrong —Never seen Jimmy in shorts…Not in 50 years –Shocked they didn’t Have –WEARING GLASSES !!! TOO !! —–BIG ..NO WAY !!
Gloves?? …Never seen him wear Shorts..Not in 50 yrs!!!….Hair is 85% gray …….My Height -5′ 8″—-NOT 6’0″ ….he’s 165-180 lbs. Not 200 …How —-Bushy “Mono-Brow ” Never made the description —Can’t MISS Those!!
Jimmy Marudas …IS NO THIEF & ..would Never Carry a Weapon, much less USE It!! …NON Violent …..He gets “Flustered” —Not Angry …….When people (Mostly Kids) would Tease Jimmy …his stuttering tripled….he would Say ..That’s not Nice ..You’re not a Nice Person …Stop it ….then he’d go into P O G, 4 eye Robbery and all that stuff ….and Walk Away …………That is about as VIOLENT as Jimmy gets …..He runs from 6 & 8 year olds !! ….WE ALL Know this is B S !!
20/20 Robbery …..Not 4 eye ….4 eye is separate
Marudas is afraid of women, I learned that many years ago, seems he had an abusive mother. I’ve been his neighbor for 27 years, this guy would never hurt a flea.
I saw Marudas after he got back from Western Division and he told me they handcuffed him and put him in the back of an SUV (like a dog). He was back to making his rounds, trying to keep good trash out of the landfill. He said they didn’t finger print him they just swabbed the inside of his cheeks for DNA. He said he got picked up by his conservator after being in solitary confinement for 45 minutes. Just another travesty of justice by SDPD.
I have known Jimmy for about 30 years. He is a gentle, kind man.
Why would SDPD haul in somebody who does not even remotely fit the description? Do they see Jimmy as an easy scapegoat because of his disability?
My best wishes to the woman who was stabbed. I trust that SDPD will bring the real attacker to justice.
I’m making a complaint to the police dept. about this. It’s disgusting.
Idiots!
Here is what I just sent to the SDPD Complaint email address. I think lots of folks should follow suit and let the PD know what we think of this.
I am writing this message to register a complaint about the treatment of Jimmy Marudas, who lives on Voltaire St. in Pt. Loma, as a possible stabbing suspect. I am appalled that the police department doesn’t seem to know enough about this community to know who Mr. Marudas is. He has been a fixture in Pt. Loma for his whole life, it seems that everyone, except for the San Diego Police Department, knows who Jimmy Marudas is. The man is harmless and has never exhibited any aggressive behavior towards anyone, if anything, he is meek and shy around people. Add this knowledge to the fact that he didn’t even come close to fitting the description of the assailant and one can only conclude that the SDPD seriously erred in detaining Marudas as it did.
According to the news, the SDPD took a DNA swab from Mr. Marudas mouth, further demonstrating how far down the wrong path the SDPD went. Mr. Marudas deserves an apology and the SDPD needs to do a better job of knowing the communities it patrols. To not know – on sight – one of Pt. Loma’s most quirky and harmless regular mentally disabled citizens just shows how detached from the community, at least this community, the SDPD actually is.
Thank you! <3 (I'm sending a letter to Shelley Zimmerman, directly).
FYI-Maroudis is spelled Maroudis, OK then.
Ok, thanks for the clarification.
The email address I used was the police chief:
sdpdpolicechief@pd.sandiego.gov
I too have known Jimmy for over 20 years. We all know Jimmy is odd. It’s a sad situation for him but he keeps on truck’n. I think it is great to see our community support him quirks and all. I hope Jimmy reads this thread and knows that good things were said about him. I hope all these kind words help him get over what was probably a scary situation being questioned and all.
Thanks Jimmy for the jokes. ( ;
In response to:
“Well-Known OB Local, Jimmy Marudas, Arrested by Police for Point Loma Stabbing”
On February 15, 2015, at about 1000 hours, two separate and unrelated residents of Ocean Beach called police dispatch to report the sighting of a person who they believed matched the description of a suspect who had stabbed a female motorist the day earlier. The reporting parties gave the location and physical description of the person they were calling about. One of the reporting parties also stated the person was pushing a stroller with belongings inside.
The officers who responded on the 15th were not working at the time of the original stabbing the day before. When officers arrived, they found the person who was the subject of the call. At about the same time the officers arrived, a local free lance camera operator arrived and began interfering with the officer’s investigation. The camera operator was badgering the detained by asking if he “stabbed the lady” and was filming him with his camera. To further investigate and protect the integrity of the individuals involved, the subject who was lawfully detained for the investigation was transported to the Western Division substation. The detained subject’s caretaker arrived at the scene and was informed of the circumstances and the reason for transporting him away from the scene. The caretaker was cooperative and agreed to pick up the subject at the substation. It was determined that the detained person was not the suspect and was released.
The San Diego Police Department’s primary goal is to protect human life. The officer’s of this Department are obligated to respond and investigate calls for service and thoroughly conduct appropriate follow up. The San Diego Police Department is always willing and available to provide a statement to news agencies if requested.
Respectfully,
Lieutenant Jason Weeden, Western Division
“On February 15, 2015, at about 1000 hours, two separate and unrelated residents of Ocean Beach called police dispatch to report the sighting of a person who they believed matched the description of a suspect who had stabbed a female motorist the day earlier. The reporting parties gave the location and physical description of the person they were calling about. One of the reporting parties also stated the person was pushing a stroller with belongings inside.”
The woman victim reported a person who was six feet tall and had dark hair, both of which should have immediately ruled Maroudas out.
“The officers who responded on the 15th were not working at the time of the original stabbing the day before.”
What difference does that make? Did the responding officers not have the physical description given by the victim? If so, why not?
“At about the same time the officers arrived, a local free lance camera operator arrived and began interfering with the officer’s investigation. The camera operator was badgering the detained by asking if he “stabbed the lady” and was filming him with his camera. To further investigate and protect the integrity of the individuals involved, the subject who was lawfully detained for the investigation was transported to the Western Division substation.”
I saw the guy filming the scene, it was right in front of Maroudas’s house. If the officers wanted to “further investigate and protect the integrity of the individuals involved” why did they have to take him to the Western Division substation, why didn’t they just take him inside his home and talk to him? One cameraman caused all this effort? The SDPD isn’t equipped to handle this kind of thing?
“The detained subject’s caretaker arrived at the scene and was informed of the circumstances and the reason for transporting him away from the scene.”
How did the SDPD contact the caretaker? Why could this not have been done from Maroudas’s home, he must have given the SDPD the caretaker’s information, which he could have as easily done from home.
And, if all this is to be believed, why did the PD need to do a DNA swab on a guy just to protect him?
I believe the PD owes more than this inadequate explanation to everyone.
This was COMPLETELY unnecessary. I sent a letter today, by snail mail to Shelley Zimmerman, 1401 Broadway, 92101. We’ll see what SHE has to say.
Things are out of control in OB!
Incident# 06871
Begin Date/Time: 03/05/2015 02:28 AM
End Date/Time:
Beat: 614
Location: 4900 SARATOGA AV
Neighborhood: OCEAN BEACH
Inc Type: STABBING
Synopsis: A 40 year old male and his girlfriend were walking in the North Alley of 4900 Saratoga Ave. They were approached by a male transient who had a full beard and was wearing a red Hawaiian shirt and shorts. The transient started talking to the female, then turned his attention to the male. He produced a knife and stabbed the male in the abdomen. The suspect ran away. The stab wound suffered is not considered to be life threatening and Western Division is investigating.
Watch Cmdr Contact: OFFICER DELIMITROS
I wonder if this is the same creep who stabbed and tried to rob a woman, 3 wks ago?
I’m a bit late commenting on this story. Marudas never had a mean bone in his body. About 48 years ago Phil Underhill and I made a movie and Marudas was one of the unwilling actors in our odd film. In the scene with Marudas, I offered him a cigarette, he disdained smoking vehemently and I knew it. I told him I was going to make him smoke one and he ran away with me chasing him holding a pack of Marlboro cancer sticks.
That was the most exciting scene of our film.
Ocean Beach used to be a great and fun place to hang out, then things changed for the worse. Spaceman died, gangs moved in, Crack and Heroin addiction went rampant and the violent thieving cretins began to do their thing.
I was burglarized three times in the last year I lived in Point Loma, A mild mannered friend of mine was stabbed seven times in OB for walking through a gaggle of gangbangers, His naive innocence didn’t help and he’ll never be the same. It got to the point where I felt it time to leave my hometown for western Montana, truly, “the last best place” or so they say. (insert rolling eyes here !) At least the police here seem to be a lot less apt to shoot first and ask questions later.
Oops I strayed off topic. If I ever write my biography Marudas as well as The OB Spaceman will have quite a few pages dedicated to them.
Marudas used to tell this joke repeatedly and most likely still does. “What do you call a man with contact lenses ?” Answer; “Four eyes in disguise” Another original joke he used to tell goes like this. “How do you recycle a condom ? — Turn it inside out and shake the F**k out of it. ~?~ Gotta love Marudas even though he smells a bit.
Not sure how I found this story, but glad I did..
I grew up in OB in the 60s and 70s. I knew spaceman and Jimmy M. As kids we probably teased him, for that I truly apologize from bottom of my heart. But we liked to hang out with him. I remember talking with him about the frazier / ali fight back in the day at the hobby shop that used to be on voltaire.
Surprised no one mentioned his fav saying, “RB!!” i.e. “risky business”
Marudas, why don’t you have a girl friend? His response was always, “RB! RB!”
We really enjoyed his jokes; glad some of you reprinted them here; brings back lots of memories…
Haven’t lived in SD since 1990, but often visit; was just there over the holidays; spent lots of time in OB; had a meal at Nati’s. Remembering homers, paris, cornet; my old haunts as a kid. The black is still there; amazing!
Maroudis was a gentle shy fixture in my life growing up in on. I never saw him act u, wear shorts, or hurt anyone, ever. The description is waaaaaaay off and this whole thing is silly. I’m just glad he got control of his house back. I support him thee on way. We stick by ours. We got you buddy. Thanks for the memories , old friend
I’ve known jimmy for years
I grew up in ob
And often saw jimmy around neighborhood
He’s a very shy. Yet smart guy
I knew police. Made. A mistake
Jimmy had been picked on by mean people cause he’s different
Jimmy is well respected by ob locals. And business”s
Jimmy looks for items. In alleys ect
Not cause he needs money
He told me every day was like Christmas
Its just something. Makes him happy
Maroudis is a gentle soul!
He is a positive force In OB.
So, whatever happened, did they catch the real assailant? What is happening with Jim? I have been heavy duty channeling him for some strange reason. I hope all is well with him. He is sitting on $$ Millions in property, he is a Millionaire, sure hope he doesn’t get taken advantage of by false friends, and unscrupulous caregivers. That would be such a shame.
I too knew Jim, back in the day, over 40 years ago, when we were both young. I used to catch the bus in front of his house every day. I lived on Soto. He would come and ride his bike up and down in front of me till I got on the bus. One day I arrived at the bus stop and witnessed him being bullied and attacked by a mob. I rushed in pulling people off of him, saved him from a gang of troglodytes, about a dozen teenaged boys. They had him down on the ground, beating on him, throwing rocks at his head. I pulled them off of him, managed to flag down a passing patrol car to help. It was horrible. Thank God the cops came before the mob turned on me too. This was his life, everyday. Jim was a young man, in excellent athletic shape, washboard abs, strong, with rippling muscles. He could have easily whopped the whole lot of them, killed them with his bare hands, had he wanted to. But there he was, he just let them beat on him, because they were still kids, kids with chunks of concrete and rocks, it was awful.
So, yes, no matter what, Jim was gentle as a lamb.
I also agree with most of the people on here, Jim is a lot smarter than most people, a lot smarter than folks give him credit for.
I hope he is doing okay, not having any family living around to look after him. His Dad passed in the mid 1960’s and his Mom in 1985. He had family in Illinois and New York, they might still be alive. Jim was born in San Diego, to Greek immigrant parents, he has lived in the same house all his life. He may still have relatives in Greece.
Jim is a property Millionaire, this could make him a target for the greedy and unscrupulous. I hope he is being taken care of, hope someone is looking out for him, hope nobody abuses him in the process of ripping him off.
Jimmy’s conservatorship was irregularly terminated on 11/21/2012.