Crime & Safety

Suspect Who Fled Court in San Pedro Still on the Loose

Abel Munguia, who had been free on bail, appeared in court Wednesday but fled after being informed he had been charged with two felonies.

SAN PEDRO, A - Authorities are still searching for a 19-year-old man who fled the San Pedro courthouse where he was facing charges for allegedly stabbing a woman and nearly gouging a man's eye out.

Abel Munguia, who had been free on bail, appeared in court last Wednesday but fled after being informed he had been charged with two separate felony offenses, the Los Angeles Police Department said. He is now the subject of an arrest warrant and is considered "very dangerous."

The charges stem from Munguia's arrest on Dec. 8 on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon for allegedly stabbing a 20-year-old woman in the back.

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"On Aug. 3, 2016, Munguia was once again arrested, for mayhem in which he nearly gouged out the eye of a 50-year-old victim," according to a police statement.

Munguia was wearing an electronic monitoring device on his ankle when he fled, but it was later recovered in Carson.

Find out what's happening in Palos Verdesfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Police are asking for the public's help in locating Munguia.

Anyone with information regarding the fugitive's whereabouts is asked to call Detective Patty Batts, major assault crimes coordinator of the LAPD's Harbor Division, at (310) 726-7861. After-hours and weekend calls should be directed to (877) LAPD-24-7 and anonymous tips can be submitted at www.LACrimeStoppers.org or by calling (800) 222-TIPS.

City News Service, photo via Shutterstock