To Chris Caraveo

independent news media

A man accused of stabbing a Peorian resident to death on Saturday will be transferred to the Valley today, police said.

At approximately 2:45 p.m. on December 23, Peoria police responded to a stabbing call in Block 6700 of West El Cortez Place, near Happy Valley Road and 67th Street.

Anthony Kupreesis (Yuma County Sheriff’s Office)

When police arrived at the scene, they found an adult male with a single stab wound. Authorities have identified him as Geoffrey Faresh, 57, of Peoria. Police said medical personnel took the man to a local hospital, where he died of his injuries.

Police spokesman Brandon Sheffert said investigators recovered the large knife used in the stabbing.

In the course of the investigation, police determined that another man, who was in the mansion at the time of the stabbing, was the suspect, but fled the scene.

Police identified the suspect as Anthony Paul Cupreisis, 30, who was driving a white 2003 Chevrolet Impala.

The Peoria Police Department released this information and photos to citizens and law enforcement agencies throughout Arizona and California, as Mr. Cupreisis was believed to have been heading in that direction along Interstate 10.

Around 11:15 p.m., U.S. Border Patrol agents detained Mr. Kupreisis at a checkpoint on Interstate 8 in Yuma County. Officials said Mr. Kupreisis was heading east toward Phoenix when he was stopped.

The Yuma County Sheriff’s Office responded by detaining Mr. Cupreisis and transferring him to the Yuma County Jail.

Detective Peoria traveled to Yuma, where he interviewed Mr. Kupreesis. He was then imprisoned in the Yuma County Jail on first-degree murder charges.

Police said Faresh’s girlfriend was at home at the time of the incident but didn’t see or hear anything. Police also said Kupreisis was the son of Faresh’s long-time girlfriend.

A Peoria Police spokesman said Mr. Kupreisis will be transferred to the Valley at some point on Tuesday, Dec. 26.

This incident is still under investigation.