ST. PETERSBURG ⁠— A 26-year-old man is accused of attacking a stranger on downtown’s Central Avenue on Tuesday evening and slashing his jaw with a knife while demanded his wallet.

The victim’s wound required 19 stitches, police said.

The incident took place at about 7:45 p.m. outside the Regions Bank at 510 Central Ave. Tyler Andrew Garrison approached the man with a blade, according to an arrest report. The man did not know Garrison, police said.

The man retreated, the report said, but Garrison pursued him into the street while demanding his wallet.

“While backing from the defendant, the victim tripped backwards in the middle of the street,” the report states. “The defendant stood over him still demanding his wallet.”

Garrison didn’t back off until the man started to call police, the report said.

The report says the man suffered a 2-inch cut to his jaw that required 19 stitches to close.

Garrison was arrested on a charge of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and booked into the Pinellas County jail. The arrest report indicates that Garrison is a transient. Officers noted in the report there were indications that he has mental health issues.

Garrison was being held Wednesday in lieu of $10,000 bail.

Editor’s Note: An earlier version of this story, citing an arrest report, said the victim needed 20 stitches. He actually needed 19.