Man charged with slicing clerk in market within sight of the East Boston police station

Boston Police report arresting an East Boston man on charges he stabbed a clerk in the market at the Shell station on Meridian Street, steps from the District A-7 police station on Paris Street on Friday morning.

Police say Eric Vargas, 32, became enraged when a clerk rejected his effort to use a counterfeit bill to buy something, around 11:20 a.m.

According to the clerk, when he refused to accept the counterfeit bill or return it to the suspect, the suspect became enraged and lunged at the clerk, reaching over the counter and striking him with his clenched fist. The clerk, however, was able to defend himself and stop the suspect's attack. The suspect then turned his attention on a second store employee who he stabbed before fleeing the store. The second store employee received treatment for minor lacerations on scene by Boston EMS but refused further medical attention and was not transported from the scene.

Police say a witness ran across the street to the police station, where several officers were standing outside:

The officers immediately ran to the store where they were met by a store clerk who began yelling and pointing in the direction of the suspect who was attempting to walk away from the scene. The officers immediately approached the suspect and placed him into custody without incident. A pat frisk of the suspect enabled officers to locate and confiscate a Swiss Army knife found on his person.

Vargas was charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, assault by means of a dangerous weapon and possession of counterfeit notes, police say.

Innocent, etc.