A Louisiana man was treated for cut wounds this morning and then charged with attempted strong-armed robbery after an attack on a man who had given him a ride from a casino to a hotel, police Capt. Bobby Stewart said.

William Johnson, 35, 240 Pomeray Drive, Shreveport, punched and tried to steal the wallet of Anthony Sasser, 42, 509 Donna Circle, Richland, at about 1:45 when the two were in Sasser’s 1999 Pontiac Grand Am in the Ameristar Hotel parking lot at 4155 Washington St.

In defense, Stewart said, Sasser pulled a knife and cut Johnson’s arm and abdomen.

Sasser and Johnson had met while at Ameristar Casino, 4146 Washington St., and Sasser had loaned Johnson $20, Stewart said. As Sasser left, Johnson approached him and asked for a ride. Upon reaching the hotel across the street, Johnson punched Sasser several times in the face and chest and demanded his wallet, said Stewart.

After he was cut, Johnson jumped out of the car and ran across the street to a gas station, where the initial 911 call was made. He was treated and released from River Region Medical Center and returned to the police.

Sasser drove away in the Grand Am and, based on police radio calls, was later stopped while eastbound on Interstate 20 near the Flowers exit by Deputy Billy Brown, said Sheriff Martin Pace.

Sasser also had been cut and was taken by ambulance to River Region, where he was treated and released, spokesman Allen Karel said. Deputies held the car until police could process it for evidence, Pace said.

Johnson was being held without bond this morning at police headquarters pending his initial hearing in municipal court.