Man Suspected Of Trying To Kill Wife With Chainsaw Arrested In San Diego County

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA) — A Whittier man suspected of attacking his wife with a chainsaw this week has been placed in police custody.

Alejandro Alvarez was arrested in Chula Vista Thursday afternoon, the San Diego Sheriff's Dept. said.

Alvarez allegedly attacked his wife, who was referred to as "Gloria" by neighbors, at their home on the 7700 block of Milton Avenue in Whittier Wednesday afternoon. The woman suffered serious injuries as a result of the incident, which reportedly happened while the couple's three children were in the home. They are all under the age of 10. It is not clear how much of the alleged attack the children witnessed.

When police arrived at the scene, Alvarez had already fled in the family vehicle, which he crashed into another car in nearby Santa Fe Springs. He later stole a 2004 Mercury Mountaineer that was left running. He was driving the vehicle at the time of his arrest in south San Diego County.

Family members reportedly notified police Alvarez would be near the U.S.-Mexico border.

Neighbors said a man who lives at the front house of the property was the one who eventually stopped Alvarez. The man did not wish to speak to CBS2 News Thursday.

The woman underwent surgery Wednesday for the many cuts she received. She will not lose any limbs and is expected to recover.

The Whittier Police Dept. told CBS2 they had been to the family's residence on reports of domestic violence. However, Alvarez had never been arrested.

Now, Alvarez faces charges of attempted murder, child endangerment, hit-and-run and grand theft auto.

(© Copyright 2018 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. City News Service contributed to this report.)