Authorities are searching for a man accused of brutally attacking a 71-year-old woman with a metal baseball bat after she asked him to leave her San Bernardino County home.
Deputies responded to the 23900 block of Straight Way in the Crestline community at about 6 a.m. Tuesday for a welfare check on the woman, according to the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department.
When deputies arrived, they found the victim inside her residence suffering from multiple injuries.
Investigators said the woman had a laceration on her forehead, a cut above her eyebrow, swollen hands and severe swelling around one eye that left her unable to see clearly.
The suspect was identified as 26-year-old Orange County resident Erik Eduardo Navarro, who authorities said had been living with the woman for about two weeks.
According to the Sheriff's Department, the violence erupted after the victim asked Navarro to leave the residence.
During the ensuing argument, Navarro allegedly struck the woman multiple times across her body with a metal baseball bat and kicked her several times.
Arrests made in tragic Southern California crash that killed 2 girls, best friends
Navarro fled before deputies arrived and had not been located as of Thursday, detectives said.
Authorities released a photograph of Navarro and are asking for the public's help in finding him.
No additional details about the circumstances surrounding the attack or the victim's condition were immediately available. The nature of Navarro's relationship to the woman also remains unclear.
Anyone with information about the investigation or Navarro's whereabouts is urged to contact the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department Twin Peaks Station at 909-336-0660. Those wishing to remain anonymous can contact We-Tip at 844-909-3006 or text "REPORT" to We-Tip.
Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.