Woman, 23, Stabbed By Stranger At Taco Truck Still In Stable Condition

LOS ANGELES - A 29-year-old man suspected of carrying out a knife attack on a woman in East Los Angeles remains in custody today.

The 23-year-old victim who was taken to the hospital for stab wounds to her hands and arms remained in stable condition today, said Lt. Alex Salinas of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's East Los Angeles station.

The suspect, whose name has not been released, also was taken to the hospital following the attack, which was reported at 10:19 p.m. Wednesday near the intersection of Whittier Boulevard and Clela Avenue.

Salinas said deputies who happened to have been in the area used force to take down the man, who later told deputies he had been high on meth all day prior to the attack. Taking him to the hospital was common practice because force was used, but the man was not injured, Salinas said.

The victim was in line at a taco truck with her mother when the suspect grabbed her by the neck and dragged her away, Salinas said. The suspect did not know the victim, he said.

A man driving by who saw the attack attempted to scare off the suspect with a crowbar but was unsuccessful, according to Salinas. The good Samaritan sustained a minor injury while attempting to stop the attack but not one that warranted a hospital trip, he added.

• Also see: Homeless Man Denied Food Accused Of Stabbing Restaurant Worker At Santa Monica Pier

--City News Service/File photo