A suspect is in the Mercer County Jail following a stabbing outside Grove City followed by a nine-hour police standoff.

Andrew Miller, 26, of Grove City told investigators that he was stabbed several times by 46-year-old Varick Vanistendael along South Center Street Extension in Pine Township just after midnight Tuesday.

Miller claims that he had been driving behind Vanistendael’s car, when Vanistendael suddenly stopped, got out of the car, stabbing him in the stomach and twice in the back.

The victim drove himself home where his girlfriend called for an ambulance that transported Miller to AHN Grove City.

From there, Miller was flown to Allegheny General Hospital where he underwent emergency surgery for a punctured lung.  He was last reported in critical condition.

Police say when they found Vanistandael at his home, he refused to come outside, leading to a nine-hour-standoff with the Pennsylvania State Police Special Emergency Response Team.

Vanistandael eventually surrendered and was taken before a district manager on charges of aggravated assault and recklessly endangering another person.

Police say Vanistandael has confessed to the stabbing.

The victim told police that the attack was unprovoked but did admit that there had been previous arguments with Vanistandael who in the past allegedly stole a pickup truck from him and his father.

The magistrate set Vanistandael’s bond at $100,000 and scheduled another court hearing for May 18.