POLK COUNTY, Iowa — An assault at a Des Moines hotel on Wednesday morning has led to an arrest and a charge of attempted murder.

The Polk County Sheriff’s Office said deputies were called to a report of an assault at the Budget Inn at 5220 NE 14th Street in Des Moines around 7:00 a.m. When they arrived, a female victim with serious head lacerations was found in the parking lot. The PCSO said the woman’s injuries were caused by a baseball bat.

She was transported to a local hospital with serious injuries.

Witnesses told law enforcement that the suspect, later identified as 38-year-old Raymond D. Gooch, fled on foot to the south. A perimeter was established, and a K-9 unit was deployed to track the suspect.

Around 7:28 a.m., Gooch was located near a wooded area in the 1200 block of NE 49th Avenue, near the interstate, and taken into custody.

Gooch is being held in the Polk County Jail on a charge of attempted murder.

The Polk County Sheriff’s Office is continuing to investigate the incident.