Stranger Strikes, Kicks Palo Alto Woman To Ground, Police Say

PALO ALTO, CA — Police are asking for the public's help in identifying a woman who allegedly assaulted a 67-year-old Palo Alto woman without provocation Tuesday morning in San Mateo. The woman, who is pictured above thanks to the quick thinking work of a witness, is sought in connection to the assault, according to police.

San Mateo police say it all started around 9:30 a.m. Tuesday in the 2600 block of South El Camino Real, near 25th Avenue. The suspect, described as a Hispanic woman between the ages of 35 and 45, allegedly approached the victim and began attacking.

"The suspect began to strike the victim and knocked her to the ground," police said. "Once on the ground, the suspect repeatedly kicked the victim."

The victim had to be taken to a hospital for treatment of her injuries, however they are not thought to be life-threatening, police said.

Police released the above photo of the suspect, who was wearing all black clothing at the time of the alleged assault. They say it was taken by a witness to the crime.

The assailant is roughly 5 feet 5 inches tall, weighs about 170 pounds and has black hair and brown eyes, according to police. She was last seen pushing a red shopping cart in the vicinity of South El Camino Real and 25th Avenue.

Anyone with additional information is asked to contact police at (650) 522-7730.

— Image provided by San Mateo Police / Bay City News Service contributed to this report