Police sought the public’s help finding a man who stabbed a woman after breaking into her Santa Monica home early Friday.
Officers responded to a call about an “unknown trouble” at an apartment complex in the 1700 block of Fifth Street, an area near hotels and other businesses.
Santa Monica detectives reported finding a female resident in her early 20s suffering from multiple stab wounds and lacerations to her face and arms. She was treated by paramedics at the scene before being transported to a hospital, where authorities said she was underwent surgery but remained in stable condition.
“She’s fairly young, so we’re hoping that she’s strong enough,” said Lt. Saul Rodriguez. “She made it, she did fight herself off of the suspect so that was definitely a good thing for her. We hope that she survives.”
Investigators said a man forced his way into the apartment through a window while the victim was asleep. He then allegedly took a knife from the kitchen and asked for money and property.
The man then stabbed the woman in the arm and jumped on top of her, police said. The victim was able to fight off the man, who then fled through the front door.
The assailant remained at large Friday night. He was believed to have sustained a significant cut on his hand due to a trail of blood left outside the home, and police found stained clothing and more blood a few blocks away from the crime scene.
Authorities described the suspect as a black, 25- to 30-year-old man wearing a red beanie and dark-colored, camouflage sweatpants.
Detectives are now looking for footage from security cameras near the residence. Anyone with additional information can contact the Santa Monica Police Department at 310-458-8491.