A Missoula woman fled from her home early Tuesday morning when she awoke to find a strange man standing over her holding a knife.

Public Information Officer Travis Welsh with the Missoula Police Department said the incident occurred at about 5:30 Tuesday morning.

"This incident was called in at 5:38 a.m. with a report of a male who had entered without permission at a residence in the 2500 block of South Third Street," Welsh said. "The resident was asleep on the couch in the living room and awoke to find this male standing over her.. She described him as a white male adult in his 20's or 30's with strawberry blond hair and a beard. She said he was wearing a black or a blue shirt and plaid shorts and had a knife in his hand."

Welsh said the woman was able to flee from the house.

"The resident ran from the house where where she borrowed a phone and called 9-1-1," he said. "By the time officers arrived, the suspect had left the house, and is still at large."

Welsh said the suspect could be charged with aggravated burglary, and even though he did not threaten the resident with the knife, an assault with a weapon charge could also apply. Authorities will release a more detailed description as it becomes available.

Anyone with information on this incident is asked to call Crimestoppers at 721-44-44, or the Missoula Police Department at 552-6300.

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