A quick-acting Manteca Police dispatcher reacted immediately at 7:15 a.m. Tuesday to trace a cell phone call that went dead after a woman said she had been stabbed in the neck in a physical confrontation with her boyfriend.

Valdez reversed the cell phone number she had on her computer while Dispatcher Trainee Liles sent officers to an apartment complex in the 400 block of South Union Road. 

A 51-year-old Manteca man, Jerry Dell, was booked on a charge of attempted murder and assault with a deadly weapon in the stabbing a 58-year-old woman in the neck in his apartment unit.  When officers arrived, they located the man and the injured woman in front of their residence where the woman was bleeding profusely from her neck wound.  The man was taken into custody without incident, police said, while the woman was administered first-aid as medics arrived and continued life-saving efforts.  

Both the woman and the male suspect were transported separately to the hospital for treatment. The victim immediately went into surgery. She is expected to recover, police said. The suspect was treated and released to the custody of the Manteca Police Department and later transported to county jail.  

 “While everyone’s involvement was exemplary, the actions of our Dispatch Trainee were instrumental in locating the victim in time to render aid as well as to apprehend the suspect before he fled the scene,” Police Chief Jodie Vasquez said. “She will be receiving special recognition for her efforts (this morning).”

To contact Glenn Kahl, email gkahl@mantecabulletin.com.