Good Samaritans stop 'brutal' knife attack at Kroger

A woman slashed a shopper with a large knife during a robbery in a Westwood Kroger parking lot Wednesday night before bystanders stepped in and subdued the attacker, police said.

Ashley Rhoads, 23, is facing felonious assault and aggravated robbery charges related to the incident at the Kroger on Glenway Avenue.

Elizabeth Galbraith, 35, was pushing her grocery cart just after 8 p.m. when she was approached by Rhoads who demanded Galbraith's purse, according to Cincinnati police Sgt. Jim Perkins.

Rhoads then began swing the knife at Galbraith, Perkins said.

"She was getting brutally attacked with this big, edged weapon," he said. Galbraith suffered cuts to her hands fending off the suspect.

Brian Garcia, 48, was nearby. He jumped out of his car to help. Rhoads turned on him, cutting his hands and knocking him to the ground, Perkins said.

"Then all sorts of other people who were out in the parking lot came to help. Two females and another male actually came and took her to the ground while other people ran inside to get the security guard," Perkins said.

The security guard was able to handcuff Rhoads and detain her until police arrived.

Garcia was treated at the scene and released. Galbraith was taken to University of Cincinnati Medical Center, leaving her car and her groceries inside the police tape at the scene.

"An incredible act of courage by the citizens here on the West Side... to intervene when someone is armed with a big knife like that," Perkins said. "At least seven people got involved in a potentially serious, dangerous situation. I'm proud of them."

A police report from the incident was not immediately available Thursday.

Rhoads' is being held at the Hamilton County Justice Center with a bond set at $100,000 while awaiting trial. She next scheduled to appear in court Dec. 7.

Rhoads is also facing separate drug charges from earlier this year and is scheduled to appear in court on Dec. 17.