COBB, Calif. – Local authorities are looking for a Cobb resident who they said used a hatchet to assault another man on Saturday.

Nicholas James Thomas, 29, is being sought in the case, according to Lt. Steve Brooks of the Lake County Sheriff's Office.

Brooks said that on Saturday, Feb. 22, at 11:50 a.m., sheriff's deputies were dispatched to the area of Forest Lake Drive in Cobb on a report of a male subject who had been hit in the head with a hatchet.

Upon their arrival, deputies located the victim, who had been able to walk from Forest Lake Drive to a business located at Highway 175 and Golf Road in Cobb, Brooks said.

The victim had collapsed and was receiving medical treatment from paramedics and firefighters. Due to his injuries, the victim was unable to speak with the deputies and was transported by air ambulance to a trauma center, according to Brooks.

Brooks said deputies contacted a witness who was with the victim during the assault. The witness said they had approached Thomas, who appeared to be arguing with a female who was walking away from him.

When the female ignored Thomas’ request to stop walking away, he became upset and started running after her while yelling obscenities at her. Brooks said the witness explained that Thomas continued to yell at the female and appeared to become more aggressive towards her.

The victim approached the couple and told Thomas to stop. Brooks said Thomas told the victim to stay out of his business, then swung a hatchet, striking the victim in the head.

The witness said the victim immediately fell, striking his forehead and face on the ground. Thomas, who had reportedly dropped the hatchet after striking the victim, picked the hatchet up and walked away from the area, according to Brooks.

Deputies immediately conducted a thorough search of the area and were unable to locate Thomas, Brooks said.

Brooks said Thomas is considered armed and dangerous and should not be approached.

Anyone with information as to Thomas’ whereabouts is asked to contact the Lake County Sheriff’s Office at 707-263-2690.