NORWICH – A Chenengo County grand jury has indicted a man on several crimes after he allegedly stabbed a victim who confronted him while stealing from a car.

Gary L. Nichols Jr., 39, of Norwich is also accused of escaping police custody later that night on July 20, after he was taken to the Chenango Memorial Hospital for injuries he sustained during the confrontation with the victims.

While receiving treatment Nichols eluded police and escaped the hospital. He was relocated by police approximately 25 minutes later in the backyard of a home on Cortland Street.

According to the indictment the stabbing occurred at about 2:15 a.m. July 20 on Plymouth Street in the City of Norwich, after a vehicle owner reported an ongoing theft from his parked Cadillac.

After calling police, District Attorney Michael Ferrarese said the victim and a friend attempted to intervene and prevent Nichols from fleeing the area. During that time a physical confrontation occurred.