Cedar Hills man arrested in stabbing roommate

CEDAR HILLS — Police say a Cedar Hills man repeatedly stabbed his roommate in the neck Monday night because he was "sick of being taken advantage of."

Karl Conrad Luedecke, 20, and his roommate were arguing at their shared home around 11 p.m. Monday when Luedecke grabbed a large kitchen knife and stabbed him several times in the neck, said American Fork Police Sgt. Gregg Ludlow.

According to a police report filed in 4th District Court, the knife sliced the victim's trachea and arteries in his neck.

The victim fled the house, Ludlow said. As he told a neighbor what had happened, Luedecke was seen pulling out of the driveway in the victim's Volkswagon Jetta. Police arrived at the scene and found a trail of blood on the streets and sidewalk, the report states.

The victim was transported to Utah Valley Regional Medical Center where he immediately went into surgery. He was still in critical condition Tuesday, but he's stable, Ludlow said.

Alpine/Highland police soon found Luedecke and the Jetta, Ludlow said. He was still covered in blood spatter and had a knife wound on his hand, the report states. He told police he was trying to catch a Greyhound bus to Texas.

Luedecke also told officers he was sick of being taken advantage of, according to the report. Police are still investigating, but they have a hunch what instigated the fight.

"It was possibly over money," Ludlow said.

Prior to being taken into custody, Luedecke threw the knife into a field, Ludlow said. Police recovered it when the sun came up.

Officers requested that Luedecke not be released from jail because he's only been in Utah two months and has no ties keeping him here if set free.

"He's an extreme flight risk," Ludlow said.

Luedecke was booked into Utah County Jail for investigation of aggravated assault, vehicle theft and obstruction of justice. Bail has been set at $150,000.

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E-mail: jdana@desnews.com

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