After an hours-long search, a man suspected of fatally stabbing his 35-year-old live-in girlfriend in Sylmar was arrested Thursday.
Sergio Jimenez, 31, was arrested Thursday in connection with the killing that occurred around 9:20 p.m. Wednesday in the 13000 block of Dronfield Avenue, according to the Los Angeles Police Department. He was booked on suspicion of murder, with bail set at $2 million.
He is accused of killing 35-year-old Nancy De La Torre, who was found inside the apartment she shared with the suspect, police said. She was found in the unit with multiple stab wounds. She was taken to a hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
Police said the victim and suspect “were in a cohabiting relationship and … this was an incident of domestic violence.” It remained unclear what prompted the deadly attack.
Witnesses told police at the scene of the stabbing that a man was seen running from the area after the attack, police.
Officers began an extensive search for the suspect Wednesday night. Around 5 a.m. Thursday, officers descended on the area of Hubbard and Eighth Street, about four miles from the murder scene, and set up a perimeter as they searched for the man. By 10 a.m., the suspect was taken into custody in that area, according to the LAPD.
The search resulted in a brief closure of Gridley-Montanez Dual Language Academy, with all students relocated to Maclay Middle School, according to a statement from the Los Angeles Unified School District.
The school was reopened following the suspect’s arrest.
Anyone with information regarding the case was urged to contact the RHD Valley Bureau Section at 818-374-9550. Calls during non-business hours should be directed to 877-527-3247. Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous can call Crimes Stoppers at 800-222-8477 or visit lacrimestoppers.org.