LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lakeport Police Department is asking for the public's help in locating a man who assaulted and threatened to kill a woman early Saturday.

Ben Emerson Brooks, 33, is wanted for felony charges of domestic violence and terrorist threats, according to a report from Lakeport Police Chief Brad Rasmussen.

At 3 a.m. Saturday Lakeport Police officers – assisted by Lake County Sheriff’s deputies – were dispatched to a residence in the 2200 block of Green Street to investigate the report of Brooks assaulting a female subject and tearing up the yard of the residence, Rasmussen said.

Rasmussen said Brooks fled the residence on a bicycle prior to officers arriving at the scene. 

A Lakeport Police officer conducted an investigation and talked to the 29-year-old female victim who stated that Brooks hit her and threatened to kill her while strangling her with his hands to the point she could not breathe, Rasmussen said.

A male subject associated with the residence heard the victim yelling and confronted Brooks, who then fled the area, according to Rasmussen's report.

Rasmussen said the victim complained of pain and had visible injuries on her face and neck. She was checked by medical personnel from the Lakeport Fire Protection District. 

Officers searched the area for approximately 45 minutes in an effort to locate Brooks but were unable to find him, Rasmussen said.

At about 4 a.m. Saturday, Rasmussen said officers were again dispatched to the residence to investigate the report that Brooks had returned. At approximately 4:30 a.m. Brooks was spotted in the area by law enforcement but fled before he could be apprehended.

Officers searched the area until approximately 6 a.m. but were again unable to locate Brooks, Rasmussen said.

Rasmussen said officers have continued to conduct a followup investigation, including checking a Mendocino County location where Brooks may have been hiding. However, they have not been able to locate him, and at this time it is not known if Brooks is in Lake or Mendocino County.

On Wednesday, Rasmussen said the Lakeport Police Department submitted the investigation reports to the Lake County District Attorney's Office, which filed felony charges of domestic violence and terrorist threats against Brooks.

Rasmussen said his agency then obtained an arrest warrant for Brooks from a Lake County Superior Court judge for the charges.

Police are seeking public assistance in providing information to locate and arrest Brooks. 

If you have information on Brooks’ location, call the Lakeport Police Department at 707-263-5491.