By BEN LUNDIN

Staff Reporter

LAPLACE – A dispute over a woman ignited a brawl between two LaPlace men on Jan 14., which ended with damage to two vehicles and a stabbing by box cutter.

Wenceslao Mendez, 28, allegedly heard the sound of breaking glass outside of his home and saw Ismael Esparza standing next to Mendez’s Chevy Silverado holding a brick.

Mendez chased after Esparza with a log and swung it at two of his Honda Accord’s taillights and the windshield, shattering all three, according to the St. John Sheriff’s Office.

Esparza exited the vehicle and retaliated by cutting Mendez three times with a box cutter, twice on the left cheek and once on the left forearm. Mendez quickly fled into Esparza’s Accord and locked himself in, police said.

Esparza fled the scene on foot. He was charged with criminal damage to property and aggravated second degree battery.

Mendez told police the fight started because of a dispute over a woman living at his house.

Mendez was transported to River Parishes Hospital for treatment.