Manhunt On: Suspect ID'd In Violent Attack Of Clerk

LOS ANGELES, CA – After public assistance with an identification, a felony arrest warrant was issued for a 23-year-old man wanted for allegedly attacking a convenience-store clerk last month in the Harbor City/West Carson area, a sheriff's deputy said Thursday.

Julio Cesar Roman was named as the suspect in the brutal assault of Mobil-station employee Darlecia D'Andrade, which occurred about 5:56 a.m. on June 16 in the 900 block of West Sepulveda Boulevard, near Vermont Avenue, said Deputy Trina Schrader of the Los angeles County Sheriff's Information Bureau.

The 53-year-old victim and mother of six was slashed across the face and abdomen in the store bathroom after the suspect asked her to fix the toilet, according to officials. She was released from a hospital but has been unable to return to work, Schrader said.

Roman was described as Hispanic, 5 feet, 5 inches tall with brown hair, hazel eyes and weighing 150 pounds. On the day of the attack, he was wearing a red T-shirt, black pants, and a black and green hat with the phrase "I (marijuana leaf) Weed," the department said.

Although his hometown or city of residence was not given, authorities said he is known to frequent the San Pedro area.

According to the victim and store surveillance video, the suspect reportedly entered the store, made a "small purchase," then asked D'Andrade if he could use the restroom. He went into the restroom and exited a few seconds later asking her to '"fix the toilet," the agency said.

When she entered the bathroom, the suspect followed her inside and then attacked, cutting her with an unknown object. He then fled the store and drove off in a red car heading south on Vermont Avenue, deputies said.

His four-door vehicle, which was not located, had a sunroof, vertical slats on the front grill and possibly a sticker or chipped paint on driver's side door frame, according to deputies.

"Suspect Roman may frequent the San Pedro area and we are seeking the public's help in locating him," Schrader said.

D'Andrade said she had never before seen the suspect, and there is no known motive for the attack.

Surveillance video from inside the store, but outside the restroom, showing the male suspect and the victim employee can be viewed below.

Anyone with information can contact the Carson Sheriff's Station at (310) 830-1123. Those wishing to provide information anonymously, may call "Crime Stoppers" by dialing (800) 222-TIPS (8477), use a smartphone by downloading the "P3 MOBILE APP" on Google play or the App Store, or through the website http://lacrimestoppers.org.

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--City News Service contributed to this report/Images via Los Angeles County Sheriff