08/26/2026
In the early morning hours of August 21, Yolo County Sheriff's deputies responded to the Woodland city limits on E. Main Street regarding a victim suffering from multiple stab wounds. The victim sustained approximately 14 stab wounds to the neck, torso, and extremities. Deputies immediately provided assistance, and the victim was transported to a local trauma center, where they remain under medical care.
Deputies identified and secured a crime scene that extended a significant distance, and Yolo County Sheriff’s Office detectives were requested to assist with the investigation.
Through investigative work and information developed during a proactive contact earlier that night by patrol deputies, detectives identified a suspect as 34-year-old Woodland transient Hector Nieves.
Approximately two hours before the stabbing, Yolo County Sheriff deputies had contacted Nieves and conducted a probation search. During that contact, deputies’ body-worn cameras captured images of Nieves’ clothing. Deputies also identified the red Land Rover Nieves was driving and reportedly living in. Nieves was released from the scene following the contact.
Detectives subsequently obtained surveillance footage from nearby water treatment facilities. The surveillance system captured audio of the assault and showed Nieves’ Land Rover leaving the area. This evidence, combined with the earlier deputy contact and other investigative information, helped detectives identify Nieves as the suspect.
At approximately 7:45am, undercover detectives located Nieves and his vehicle parked in the 2200 block of Bronze Star Drive in Woodland. Detectives and patrol deputies developed a plan to safely take Nieves into custody. Nieves was arrested without incident, and there was no further threat to the public.
Nieves was arrested for attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon, felony battery, and violation of probation. He was booked into the Yolo County Jail, where he is currently being held on $400,000 bail.
We would like to recognize the deputies and detectives involved in this investigation. Their proactive work, attention to detail, and effective use of available technology helped detectives quickly identify and locate the suspect, bringing the investigation to a safe conclusion.
