Heineken Thief Who Stabbed Good Samaritan Identified; Still Loose

The Peoria Police Department says it has identified the man responsible for last week's Heineken heist, during which the suspect stabbed a good samaritan who tried to stop him. Unfortunately, the alleged thug's still on the loose.Police say the Heineken thief is 29-year-old Eric Matthew Papanek, of Glendale. Turns out,...

By James King

March 22, 2011

[
        {
          "name": "Air - MediumRectangle - Inline Content - Mobile Display Size",
          "component": "18478561",
          "insertPoint": "2",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "2"
        },{
          "name": "Editor Picks",
          "component": "16759093",
          "insertPoint": "4",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "1"
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "17980324",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Air - MediumRectangle - Combo - Inline Content",
          "component": "16759092",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "17980324",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 24
        },{
          "name": "Air - Leaderboard Tower - Combo - Inline Content",
          "component": "16759094",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 24
        }
      ]

The Peoria Police Department says it has identified the man responsible for last week's Heineken heist, during which the suspect stabbed a good samaritan who tried to stop him. Unfortunately, the alleged thug's still on the loose.

Police say the Heineken thief is 29-year-old Eric Matthew Papanek, of Glendale. Turns out, he's got a bit of a history.

Peoria police spokesman Jay Davies tells New Times Papanek was recently released from prison after serving seven years behind bars for a 2003 shooting. He was released in late 2010.

Davies says an anonymous tip led police to Papanek, and authorities were able to corroborate the tipster's story over the course of their investigation.

According to police, Papanek stole two 12-packs of Heineken from a Circle K near 87th Avenue and Bell Road. During the heist, a man named Brandyn Asbury tried to stop the beer bandit, but was unable to do so.

During the scuffle, Papanek stabbed Asbury before triumphantly walking out of the store.

Police say the suspect walked backwards as he left the Circle K, defiantly holding the beer and knife above his head.

Asbury was not seriously injured.

Papanek is still on the loose. If you happen to know where he is, call the Peoria Police Department at 623-773-8311.

KEEP NEW TIMES FREE... Since we started New Times, it has been defined as the free, independent voice of Phoenix, and we'd like to keep it that way. Your membership allows us to continue offering readers access to our incisive coverage of local news, food, and culture with no paywalls. You can support us by joining as a member for as little as $1.