By The Porterville Recorder Staff
A stabbing victim was transported to Sierra View District Hospital after being assaulted at Murry Park on Wednesday evening.

The victim was playing basketball at the park with a group of friends when they were approached by 19-year-old Michael Vincent Angco, two 16-year-old boys and three girls, ages 14, 15 and 16.

The assailants pulled a knife and demanded a cellular phone from the victims, who refused the demand. The assailants then stabbed victim twice in the back.

The suspects are also purported to be connected with two other armed robberies and one assault. The first robbery occurred in the alleyway at 112 North D Street. The suspects stole a bicycle from a pair of 16-year-olds at knifepoint.

Later on Wednesday evening, the group is also suspected of having assaulted a young female walking with two friends, demanding her cellular phone. The victim refused and one of the female suspects punched the victim in the face and the upper body.

All of the suspects were arrested in the Murry Park area, where police found two knives and a stolen handgun among the group. The incidents are being treated as gang-related, according to the Porterville Police Department and have also been linked to an armed robbery at the Sunnyside Handy Market on Tuesday.

Anyone with information is asked to call Porterville Police Department Det. Dominic Barteau at 782-7415.

Contact The Recorder newsroom at 784-5000, Ext. 1044.