Search on for suspect in robbery, attack

RANCHO SANTA FE - Authorities searched Tuesday for a man who attacked a woman as she returned to her Rancho Santa Fe home, interrupting his effort to rob the property.

The woman, who had been on vacation, returned home to the 16700 block of Rambla de las Flores at around 10 p.m. Monday and was attacked as soon as she stepped inside her front door, San Diego County sheriff’s Lt. Anthony Ray said.

The burglar struck the woman in the head several times with an unknown object before the woman was able to run to her car and drive away, Ray said.

Once away from her home, the woman pulled her car to the side of the road and called authorities, who arrived on the scene within six minutes of the call but could not find the burglar, Ray said.

Sheriff’s deputies canvassed the area by air and used canine units with

no success, he said.

The burglar may have fled in one of the woman’s vehicles, Ray said.

The woman was hospitalized for treatment but not seriously injured,

according to the lieutenant.

The suspect was described as a small man who wore all black clothing, including a top with a hood that was pulled over his head.