Laguna Beach police are looking for man accused of trying to murder ex-girlfriend

LAGUNA BEACH, Calif. (KABC) -- Laguna Beach police officers are looking for a man with a violent past who is now accused of trying to kill his ex-girlfriend.

Charles Kelley is accused of attempted murder after allegedly attacking his ex-girlfriend on Wednesday morning at a home on Tahiti Avenue, near Thurston Middle School.

The crime has the community on edge, particularly when it comes to the safety of the students at Thurston Middle School.

"We need more security, more supervision, because again this is an open area, everybody can just run away easily," said Marivel Vanhorn, whose child goes to the middle school.

But many residents are also concerned for the victim, who was taken to the hospital in an unknown condition and has since been released.

"Just her well-being, what she's going through is my first reaction," said Kelly Dixon, another middle school parent. "Him on the other hand, being on the loose, is also very scary, but I'm glad that there's a photo out there and a name and some surveillance video because that could help catch him."

The picture Dixon is referring to shows Kelley in a dark blue jacket, gray t-shirt and black pants. He is 6 foot 1, 200 pounds and driving an unknown vehicle at this time.

Officers claim Kelley burglarized the ex-girlfriend's home the night before he allegedly attacked her.

Kelley has been a wanted man by Laguna Beach police since getting into a bar fight in January. And, Kelley's criminal past extends all the way back to 2014 in Orange and San Diego counties.

Kelley has been arrested for holding a knife up to a man's throat at a drive up Wells Fargo ATM in Irvine in 2014.

Also, in 2016, Kelley was arrested after a bar fight in San Diego.

"We know that he frequents many different cities in the area, last known address was in San Diego," said Capt. Mike Peter of the Laguna Beach Police Department.

If you encounter Kelley or know of his whereabouts, contact 9-1-1 or the Laguna Beach Police Department at 949-497-0701.