Authorities believe the incident began as an attempted robbery, but turned into an attack about 10:30 p.m. A security guard at Paramount Studios reportedly made one of the first calls to police.
The victim, identified by family members as 25-year-old Ana Carolina Jocol, was rushed to a local hospital and was expected to survive.
Jocol's family said she had left her housekeeping job near Western and Melrose avenues when she was attacked as she walked to the bus stop.
"I was just sitting in my living room and all of a sudden I heard a woman screaming," said Dayna Smith, who lives in the neighborhood. "At first I thought it was maybe just kids, but it just kept going."
The suspect fled on foot from the scene between Irving Boulevard and Bronson Avenue.
Security cameras at a paramount studios parking lot caught images of the suspect. Police say they have no solid suspect description.
Anyone with information is urged to call the Los Angeles Police Department at (213) 382-9102.
