OC sheriff's deputy stabbed in the neck by man in San Clemente; suspect at large

SAN CLEMENTE, Calif. (KABC) -- An Orange County sheriff's deputy was stabbed in the neck while on patrol in a San Clemente neighborhood Tuesday, authorities said.

The suspect, a transient man in his mid-30s, remains at large.

The deputy, on patrol with a partner, was assaulted at about 2:15 p.m. in the area of Avenida Pico and Calle de Los Molinos while doing routine homeless outreach.

The deputy sustained a non-life-threatening injury and was treated at a nearby hospital.

The suspect was described as a white man in his mid-30s, who is about 5-feet-10 and weighs about 160 pounds with brown hair, blue eyes and a beard, Braun said. He was wearing a black jacket and dark pants and was last seen running toward a storm drain at Pico and El Camino Real.

Anyone who sees the suspect was asked not to approach him and to call 911.

The man is reportedly a known transient who has had previous contact with the sheriff's department.

Students at nearby San Clemente High School and Las Palmas Elementary School sheltered in place.

City News Service contributed to this report.