Cops: Comedian changes story about stabbing

A local comedian stabbed Saturday was allegedly attacked by a friend and not by two random men, as he initially told investigators, a police source said tonight.

Edward Rouda, 38, has been charged with attempted murder, aggravated assault, robbery and related offenses after allegedly stabbing Steven "Steve the Pickle Man" Slutsky in the neck over a debt, according to that source.

Slutsky initially told officers that two men reached into the window of his car as he was parked on Aramingo Avenue near Bermuda Street in Frankford, stabbed him in the neck and stole $400 from him, the source said.

However, during a second interview Monday with detectives, Slutsky had a new explanation: He was stabbed during an argument with Rouda over $500 that Slutsky owed him, the source said.

Like the initial story, the spat took place inside the car, and it escalated when Slutsky refused to hand over the money, the source said. In response, Rouda pulled out a folding knife and stabbed Slutsky once in the neck.

Slutsky then handed over $300, and Rouda fled. Officers found Slutsky in the car and took him to Hahnemann University Hospital, where his wounds were treated.

Slutsky told police that Rouda coerced him into creating the initial story.

Investigators obtained a warrant for Rouda's arrest and nabbed him at his home on Bermuda Street near Duncan, not far from where the stabbing took place.