Teen Charged in Woman's Stabbing, Gouging Man's Eye Flee Court, Still at Large

SAN PEDRO, CA — A 19-year-old man accused of stabbing a woman and nearly gouging a man's eye out fled a San Pedro courthouse Wednesday and remains at large.

Abel Munguia, who had been free on bail, appeared in court but fled when informed that he had been charged with two separate felony offenses. He is now the subject of an arrest warrant, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.

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.

"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.

"Munguia is considered to be very dangerous and detectives are asking for the public's help in locating him," police said.

Anyone with information regarding the fugitive's whereabouts was urged 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.

— Photo courtesy of the LAPD