A Phoenix woman was attacked by a man with a meat cleaver, then stalked and harassed by him for the next ten months.
Phoenix police report that on June 27, 2016, Verbon Ricardo Harvey, age 40, attacked his girlfriend with a meat cleaver, at their home near 27th Avenue and Indian School Road. He reportedly struck her several times causing multiple injuries, including a seven inch cut to her jaw requiring 15 stitches to close.
Police say over the last ten months Harvey contacted the victim using numerous unknown phone numbers, including one from a deceased person.
During these calls, Harvey would indicate that he was tracking her by detailing her travels, what clothes she was wearing, and commenting on her hairstyles.
On April 28, the victim got onto a city bus to go to work and spotted Harvey on the bus. Fearing for her safety, she quickly exited the bus at her stop. Throughout that weekend Harvey continued to call her saying that her apartment was a "good place to 'merk' her." The victim conveyed to police that 'merk' was Harvey’s word for murder.
She again found Harvey on the bus with her on May 1 and began to notice that his calls were now coming from the same number. Police were able to track that phone to a location near 7th Avenue and Indian School Road. After making a positive identification on Harvey, they moved in and arrested him.
In comments to police, Harvey denied attacking anyone. However, police say while alone in an interview room he allegedly made comments that the victim, "would get what was coming to her."
Harvey is facing potential charges of attempted murder and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
