LEWISTON — A South Paris man was stabbed while getting a haircut at a barbershop on Chestnut Street on Wednesday evening.

Rashad Robinson, 35, was stabbed in the stomach and chest while sitting in a chair at Major Cuts at 79 Chestnut St., police said.

The stabbing was reported shortly before 6 p.m. Within minutes, police had a section of Chestnut Street between Lisbon and Canal streets cordoned off with crime-scene tape while a search began for a suspect.

Later Wednesday, police said they had arrested Michael Barrucci, 23, of Otisfield, who was charged with elevated aggravated assault.

Investigators said Barrucci is dating Robinson’s estranged wife, who was also in the salon when the stabbing took place.

“Following the stabbing, Robinson staggered out from the barber shop onto the sidewalk and collapsed,” according to Maine State Police spokesman Stephen McCausland.

A stretch of Chestnut Street was shut down for hours as police investigated.

Two hours after the knifing was reported, Lewiston police were joined at the scene by a team of Maine State Police detectives. State police are generally called in when a situation has the potential to turn into a homicide.

The victim of the stabbing was taken to Central Maine Medical Center. The extent of his injuries was not immediately known, although his wounds were described as serious. Police were monitoring Robinson’s condition as they continued to investigate.

At 10:30 p.m., Chestnut Street remained blocked to traffic. The roadway was jammed with police cars and with the Lewiston police Evidence Response vehicle.

Michael Barrucci

(Larry Gilbert Jr./Sun Journal)