Hammer-attack suspect on the loose in SE Houston

Sketch of a suspect in an aggravated assault on a woman about 7:45 p.m. Nov. 2, 2016, in the 8800 block of Vesper Street in southeast Houston. (Crime Stoppers) Sketch of a suspect in an aggravated assault on a woman about 7:45 p.m. Nov. 2, 2016, in the 8800 block of Vesper Street in southeast Houston. (Crime Stoppers) Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close Hammer-attack suspect on the loose in SE Houston 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

Authorities have released a sketch of a man suspected of attacking a woman with a hammer as she walked in her neighborhood last month in southeast Houston.

The aggravated assault occurred about 7:45 p.m., Nov. 2 in the 8800 block of Vesper Street, according to the Houston Police Department.

Police said the victim was taking her routine walk in the neighborhood when a car drove up behind her and stopped. A man leaped out of the car, hit the woman several times on the head with a hammer and tried to drag her into the car. The woman fought back, spraying the man in the face with mace.

The man left after the struggle.

Details of the woman's injuries and condition were not released.

The suspect is described as being Hispanic and between 20 and 30 years old. He is about 5 feet 7 inches tall and weighs about 170 pounds. He had dark hair cropped in a crew cut.

The man drove a 1990s to early 2000s, blue, 2-door Chevrolet Monte Carlo that had a small red- and-white striped sticker on the driver's side door or windshield.

Anyone with information about the case is urged to contact Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS or online at www.crime-stoppers.org. Tips may also be sent by text message. Text TIP610 and tips to CRIMES.

Crime Stoppers will pay up to $5,000 for information leading to the suspect's arrest or charges being filed against him.

All tipsters remain anonymous.