Knock on door leads to Kent stabbing; police arrest man, search for woman

A brutal stabbing attack of a 64-year-old Kent man at his East Hill home started out with a knock on the door by a woman he knew.

A roommate of the man answered the door at about 4:30 a.m. on Wednesday, July 22 in the 11400 block of Southeast 256th Street. He recognized the woman as a friend of his roommate, so he let her in. He didn’t recognize the man with the woman, according to a Kent Police report.

What happened over the next hour, days and week turned a knock on the door into an assault, robbery and the 64-year-old man in hospitalized at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle with multiple stab wounds. A hospital spokeswoman on Friday declined to release any details about the man’s condition.

The attack also sent Kent Police in pursuit of Michael Anthony Santos, 32, of Kent, and Abbie M. Rupnick, 26, of Renton. Kent Police issued a media release on July 27 for the public’s help to track down Santos. Based on tips from the public, detectives arrested Santos the next day in the 21200 block of 84th Avenue South for investigation of first-degree assault, second-degree assault and first-degree robbery.

Three days later, police issued another media release to seek the public’s help to find Rupnick. As of Monday, Rupnick remained at-large. She faces the same charges as Santos. Both are scheduled to be arraigned on Aug. 10 at the Maleng Regional Justice Center in Kent. Santos remains in the King County jail in Kent.

Police found out about the stabbing at approximately 6 a.m. on the morning of the attack when a roommate transported the victim to Multicare Auburn Medical Center. Hopital staff notified police that a man had shown up with stab wounds to his groin, back and legs.

Officers briefly interviewed the victim before paramedics transferred him to Harborivew Medical Center. He told police he knew Rupnick but didn’t know the man.

According to charging papers, after the couple came into the house they attacked the 64-year-old man. Santos reportedly accused the man of being a child molester and a snitch.

The roommate went into the laundry room at the home to finish his laundry when he saw the attack. Santos allegedly hit the roommate in the face with a knife, causing the roommate to need several stitches.

A woman roommate of the two men heard the commotion in the laundry room and told police that went into the room both men had been duct taped on their mouths and that she was duct taped as well on the mouth.

Santos and Rupnick also allegedly took a iPad from the 64-year-old man before they fled from the house in a red car.

Police are asking for help to find Rupnick, who is white, with blonde hair, standing 5 feet 7 inches tall, weighing about 128 pounds. Her whereabouts are unknown, but it is believed that she may still be in the Renton/Fairwood area. Rupnick should be considered armed and dangerous, police said.

According to King County jail records, Rupnick was released on July 17 after being booked on May 12 in connection with a vehicle prowl and obstructing an officer. Her jail record includes several charges, including possession of stolen property, possession of a stolen vehicle, third-degree theft and failure to appear for several other charges.

Santos, according to King County jail records, was booked Sept. 9, 2014 and released March 24 in connection with a first-degree robbery charge. He was released because his sentenced had expired.

Santos also has a long criminal record, according to charging documents. The list of convictions include fourth-degree assault domestic violence (2004, 2008); fourth-degree assault (1998, 1999, 2006); second-degree promoting prostitution (2006); attempting to elude (2009) and several convictions as a juvenile for robbery, theft, assault and vehicle prowl and attempted robbery with a deadly weapon.

Santos also is a suspect in a drive-by shooting earlier this year in Kent when he allegedly opened fire on a car with three people inside, according to charging papers. He is suspected of similar drive-by incidents as well.