OCEANSIDE–A transient who attacked an Oceanside police officer Tuesday evening with a machete was identified Wednesday afternoon by authorities.
The suspect, 43-year-old Noomane Trabelsi, was taken into custody in a ravine off College Boulevard in Oceanside. He was transported to Scripps La Jolla due to his self-inflicted injuries to his stomach. The office suffered minor injuries, according to Oceanside Police Department spokesman Tom Bussey.
On Tuesday, at approximately 5 p.m., a police officer was driving on College Blvd. south of Plaza Dr. While he was stopped at the traffic light he saw Trabelsi across the street on College Blvd. yelling at him. Due to heavy traffic at that time of day the officer was unable to move his vehicle. As he was stopped, Trabelsi came towards the officer’s car swinging a machete at him in a stabbing motion. Moments later Trabelsi broke the driver’s side window with the machete. The officer was able to get away and call for assistance.
Police units responded to assist and a perimeter was established around the area. The suspect was spotted near a wall at the Mossy Nissan where officers attempted to communicate with him. After several minutes Trabelsi went into the ravine south of Mossy, still armed with the machete.
During the two hour search of Trabelsi, the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department’s ASTREA helicopter was brought in to track him throughout the incident. Multiple agencies including the Carlsbad Police Department, San Diego County Sheriff’s Department, and the California Highway Patrol also assisted with the search.
Later in the search, an officer deployed his K9 to the area. The K9 made contact with the man but was stabbed near his head. The K9, named Chico, was not seriously injured.
Anyone with information or who witnessed the incident is encouraged to contact Oceanside Police Detective Estrada at (760)435-4698.
