http://enterprise.southofboston.com/articles/2007/02/08/news/news/news09.txt

By Kelly Fernandes, Enterprise correspondent

WAREHAM — Police said the recent stabbing of a local man serves as a reminder why people should not pick up hitchhikers.

Police said Christopher Schulz, 23, of Wareham was driving along Route 28 Sunday about 11:20 p.m. when he picked up a man hitchhiking near the Mill Pond gas station.

He gave the man a ride to Locust Street in Onset, about five miles away.

Before he got out of the car, the stranger asked Shulz for a cigarette.

Shulz reached into his center console, where the stranger spotted Shulz' wallet.

The stranger tried to grab the wallet, the pair struggled, and the stranger pulled out a knife and stabbed Shulz in the hand about seven times.

Shulz sped away, managing to keep his wallet, and drove to Tobey Hospital.

“The general recommendation is not to pick up anyone on the side of the road, because you never know who you're picking up. There are all kinds of people out there and it's just something you should not do,” said Lt. Irving Wallace.

The suspect is described as a Cape Verdean male, between 18 and 20 years old and 5 feet, 7 inches tall.

Anyone with information is asked to call police at 508-295-1473.