Whittier man wanted for attacking wife with chainsaw caught in Chula Vista

A Whittier man on the run after he allegedly attacked his wife with a chainsaw was found and arrested in Chula Vista on Thursday.

Whittier police spokesman Officer John Scoggins said investigators developed information leading to the whereabouts of 32-year-old Alejandro Alvarez. He declined to elaborate.

Scoggins said the San Diego County Sheriff’s and Chula Vista Police departments found Alvarez in the 3100 block of Main Street around 2 p.m. He added that Alvarez was in a sport utility vehicle stolen in Santa Fe Springs.

Chula Vista Police Lt. John English said Whittier police asked them for assistance.  An undercover detective found the stolen SUV.

“The suspect was parking the vehicle. He realized the officer was behind him. He rammed one of our undercover cars,” English said.

He said the sergeant in the car was not injured.

Whittier detectives went to Chula Vista to pick up Alvarez and take him back to Whittier where he will be booked on suspicion of attempted murder, child endangerment, hit-and-run and grand theft auto.

Alvarez’s 34-year-old wife was in stable condition at a hospital Thursday and expected to survive, according to Scoggins. He said she suffered injuries to her upper body.

Scoggins said the couple’s three children were home in the 7700 block of Milton Avenue on Wednesday afternoon when Alvarez allegedly went after his wife with a chainsaw. He didn’t know if the children witnessed what happened.

A neighbor called police. Officers found the injured woman who was then rushed to a hospital.

Scoggins said Alvarez fled the scene then got into an accident in Santa Fe Springs. He abandoned his car and ran.

“He came across a vehicle with the engine running and he took it,” Scoggins said.