A homeless man was attacked with a machete Wednesday night while sleeping on the streets downtown, police say, but suffered no injuries because he was protected by a blanket and layers of clothing.

Lawrence Police Sgt. Dan Ward said the 42-year-old victim was sleeping shortly after 11 p.m. in the 1000 block of Massachusetts Street when a 40-year-old acquaintance approached him and began striking him with the machete. Two witnesses saw the attack and saw the suspect get into a vehicle and leave, Ward said.

In a traffic stop shortly afterward, officers arrested the man – identified as Jose C. Miranda of Independence, Mo. – and recovered the machete. He was arrested on suspicion of aggravated battery.

“The victim said that the two of them have had problems in the past but would not elaborate,” Ward said.