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Police: Man Attempts To Carjack Woman He Met On Dating App

FAYETTEVILLE (KFSM) — A Fayetteville man was arrested Thursday (June 23) after attacking a woman he met on a dating app and trying to steal her car. Melvi...

FAYETTEVILLE (KFSM) -- A Fayetteville man was arrested Thursday (June 23) after attacking a woman he met on a dating app and trying to steal her car.

Melvin Gutierrez, 21, was being held at the Washington County Detention Center on charges of aggravated robbery, second-degree battery, carrying a knife as a weapon, public intoxication and obstructing governmental operations. His bond was set at $3,500.

Fayetteville Police Sgt. Craig Stout said Gutierrez met the victim on an app called "Meet Me" and when the woman was dropping him off at his home, he told her he had a gift for her inside. When Gutierrez came back out to the car he pulled a knife on the victim and attempted to steal her car, Stout said.

A struggle ensued as Gutierrez tried to push the woman out of car and the victim was cut several times on her arm, according to police. She was eventually able to drive away and call for help.

Officers found Gutierrez near his house and noticed he was intoxicated, Stout said.

While police stress this incident was not the victim's fault, they do urge anyone using a dating app to always use extra caution when meeting up with a stranger.

"Drive separately for the first meeting," Stout said. "And trust your gut instincts on something like this. The other thing we recommend doing is meeting in a public place for the first meeting."

Police said the victim's cuts were not life-threatening.

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