Woman Attacked in Violent Los Alamitos Home Invasion Robbery

A 21-year-old woman was the victim of a violent home invasion robbery in Los Alamitos Friday morning.

The suspect remains at large, and authorities are warning residents to lock their doors and windows at night.

The woman was watching television at 2 a.m. Friday morning on the bottom floor of her 2-story apartment in the 3800 block of Howard Avenue. when the attacker entered through a bathroom window, said Capt. Bruce McAlpine, spokesman for the Los Alamitos Police Department.

“The suspect approached the victim from behind and struck her in the head with a blunt object,” McAlpine said in a written release. “The strike disoriented her and it is believed she may have lost temporary consciousness. The suspect, who was wearing gloves, proceeded to cover the victim’s mouth, and told her not to look at him and to not move.”

He then demanded money, and gagged and bound the woman, forcing her to lie face down on the couch as he rummaged through her apartment, stealing her purse, notebook computer, and keys, said McAlpine.

“When the suspect stopped paying attention to the victim, she was able to free her hands from behind her back and escape through the front door of the apartment,” added McAlpine. “She took her cell phone as she ran away and used it to call 911 once she found a safe location.”

The woman’s roommate was still inside an upstairs bedroom during the attack, but she was unaware of what was happening.

The suspect fled the apartment, and did not chase the victim, according to police.  Los Alamitos police officers arrived to the crime scene within 3-minutes of the victim’s 911 call; and immediately searched the area, but the suspect was not found.

“We have no motive for this particular attack,” said McAlpine. “We don’t know why the suspect targeted this particular apartment complex.”

It may have been a crime of opportunity, and police are reminding residents to lock their doors or windows, or invest in security devices that prevent anyone from breaking into partially open windows during the summer months, added McAlpine.

The suspect was described by the victim is an athletic male adult, 30 – 40 years old; he was wearing a light colored sweatshirt, light colored beanie, and pants.  He is approximately 5’-7” to 5’-8”, weighing 170 pounds. He wore glasses and gloves during the crime. 

The victim was transported and released from the Los Alamitos Medical Center after being treated at the scene by the Orange County Fire Authority.  She sustained a 4”-5” laceration to her head.  There was no attempt to sexually assault the victim, and she believes she can identify the suspect, according to police.

Anyone with information about this crime is asked to call Detective Dan Brandt of the Los Alamitos Detective Bureau at (562) 431-2255, extension 406.  

Correction: Due to a police error, an earlier version of the story contained the wrong address for the crime. The correct address is the 3800 block of Howard Avenue.