Two women in Pasadena managed to escape the clutches of a 73-year-old suspect who allegedly tried to kidnap one of them and later cut the other with a knife before being arrested, police said Tuesday.
Lance Semkus of Pasadena is facing possible charges of attempted kidnapping and attempted murder, according to Pasadena police.
He allegedly tried to drag a woman and her dog to his SUV about 4 p.m. Monday in the 3300 block of Sierra Madre Villa Avenue, but released them and sped off when a witness saw what was happening and came to the victim's aid, police said.
About 90 minutes later, Semkus allegedly approached a woman from behind as she sat against a retaining wall in the 600 block of South Arroyo Parkway and attacked her without provocation, slashing her neck area with a knife, police said.
The suspect again fled in the SUV that had been left in a nearby parking lot, but witnesses gave police descriptions of both the suspect and the vehicle.
A helicopter unit spotted the SUV in the area of California Boulevard and Fair Oaks Avenue and directed officers to the location, where Semkus was detained without incident. A knife was recovered and Semkus was positively identified by witnesses, then booked and held without bail.
The woman who was cut remains hospitalized in stable condition, police said.
