FARMINGTON – Farmington police officers arrested a man outside the Animas Valley Mall earlier this week on suspicion of a stabbing.

The Farmington Police Department said security officers for the mall called police about 6 p.m. Monday and asked for assistance with a man, later identified at Raymond Willie, 46, who was wielding a knife and threatening mall-goers.

“The man had been aggressive with other customers and security while inside the mall,” according to a news release issued by the department..

Willie had purchased the knife from a business inside the mall and then went outside and started threatening people, the release said.

Before officers arrived, a bystander tried to help security disarm Willie from behind. Security was able to pepper-spray Willie as Willie began stabbing the citizen who was helping to disarm him, the release said.

When officers arrived, they rendered aid to the unidentified man and detained Willie.

The injured man was taken to San Juan Regional Medical Center where he was treated and listed in stable condition. Attempts to speak with the man were unsuccessful.

Willie was charged with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon.

mmitchell@durangoherald.com