LAPLACE — Authorities believe Juan Carlos Ramos maintained an on-again, off-again relationship with a female who lived in the 100 block of Augustin Lane in LaPlace.

At approximately 11:30 p.m. Tuesday, St. John Sheriff’s Office investigators say the 44-year-old Ramos entered the front door of her home, a residence he sometimes shared with the woman, and viciously attacked her friend with a machete.

Police said Ramos, who is in the country illegally from Honduras, savagely slashed the victim’s face, wrist and forearms, leaving the man barely breathing and severely bleeding on the sofa.

Upon arrival, deputies found the 44-year-old victim suffering from severe cuts and coming in and out of consciousness.

Responding officers successfully applied department-issued tourniquets to the man’s upper arms to stop the bleeding. Emergency medical services arrived on scene and rendered first aid, then took the victim to a New Orleans hospital, where he is in guarded but stable condition.

Deputies identified the suspect as Ramos, who had fled the scene, and a judicial warrant for his arrest was obtained.

On Saturday, officers located Ramos in St. Bernard Parish, and he was taken into custody, booked with attempted second degree murder.

He is being held in custody in lieu of a $250,000 bond.