HAMMOND | The family of a young man stabbed to death outside a downtown gas station a year ago is offering a cash reward for information on the anniversary of the crime.
Roberto Perez, 21, was just blocks from his family home with friends at the Marathon in the 5700 block of Hohman Avenue during the early morning hours of Oct. 29, 2011, when words were exchanged with another customer.
In seconds, according to witnesses, the still-unidentified assailant stabbed Perez in the chest, and he was declared dead at a nearby hospital less than an hour later.
Now, Perez's family is offering $1,000 to anyone who can help lead police to the suspect.
"We know what happened and we know how it happened," said Detective Sgt. Steve Guernsey of Hammond police, who has been investigating the case since that morning.
"We just want to know who did it," Guernsey said. "We want a name."
The suspect, described as a black male in his mid-20s, around 6 feet tall with a stocky build, was by himself at the all-night store across the street from Harrison Park, witnesses said.
Their paths crossed in the parking area, Guernsey said, and a brief argument ended with the stabbing.
Pictures of the assailant were captured by a video surveillance system on a nearby business, and an Indiana State Police sketch artist created an image of the suspect based on that footage and the descriptions of witnesses.
"Someone knows more," Guernsey said. "We hope that, with the passage of time and the added financial incentive, they might be more willing to help us identify the guy."
Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call Guernsey at (219) 852-2978 or Detective Sgt. John Suarez at (219) 852 2981.
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