Brandon, VT – Vermont State Police are actively searching for a suspect involved in a stabbing at Café Provence on Saturday afternoon. The attack occurred around 4:30 p.m. when Jozef I. Eller, a 32-year-old former employee from Hancock, allegedly stabbed Robert Barral, the 71-year-old chef at the restaurant.
Following the assault, Eller fled the scene, driving north on U.S. Route 7 in a white 2017 Ford F-150 pickup truck with Vermont license plate 473A799. Police warn that Eller is considered extremely dangerous and urge anyone who spots him to avoid approaching and instead call 911 immediately.
Barral was transported to Rutland Regional Medical Center with injuries that, while not believed to be life-threatening, are still being assessed.
Eller is described as 5 feet 8 inches tall, weighing 170 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes. Authorities have released recent photographs of Eller, along with a photo of his truck, in hopes of locating him.
Anyone with information regarding Eller’s whereabouts is urged to contact the Vermont State Police barracks in Rutland at 802-773-9101 or submit anonymous tips online at vsp.vermont.gov/tipsubmit.
Be sure to follow us on Instagram & like us on Facebook to stay up-to-date on more relevant new stories and SUPPORT LOCAL INDEPENDENT NEWS! Have something you’d like to let us know about? Message us on our social channels and let us know about it!
