Kirkland police surrounded the Evergreen Hill Safeway after hearing reports that a potentially armed man had assaulted a woman and was holding her against her will at the grocery store.

The suspect, who was the woman’s boyfriend, was able to escape, according to police.

“He could have been one of the customers that walked out while we were getting here,” Kirkland police Lt. Mike Murray said, adding that it seemed like a domestic violence case.

Police are now actively looking for a Hispanic man age 25-30 with an average build. He is believed to be driving the victim’s vehicle, a beige 2000 Honda Accord.

At approximately 2:45 p.m., the Safeway manager and the alleged victim called 911 to report the woman was assaulted in Renton and then brought to the Safeway, located at the 14400 block of 124th Ave. NE, without consent.

Murray said the woman was able to remove herself from the man near the store’s pharmacy before getting help.

Police then surrounded the store but refrained from asking people to evacuate. Eventually, the manager and woman confirmed the suspect was gone.

Although Murray said he could not see any visible injuries, the woman was taken to EvergreenHealth Medical Center where detectives will conduct further interviews.

Murray said Renton police checked on the woman’s children at their Renton daycare as a precautionary measure.

Kirkland police are assisting with this case but have turned the investigation over to the Renton Police Department.