SAN DIEGO -- A man was arrested Wednesday on suspicion of pistol-whipping a woman on a Linda Vista roadside Saturday during a failed attempt to abduct her, police said.

San Diego police arrested 24-year-old Mulugeta Hagos into custody as he was walking in the 7500 block of Fulton Street about 1:45 p.m., Lt. Rick O'Hanlon said.

The suspect allegedly sneaked up behind the 38-year-old woman in the 7200 block of Linda Vista Road about 6:15 a.m. Saturday, put a gun to her head and tried to force her into a car. When she resisted, he allegedly hit her over the head with the pistol.

"During the struggle, the (assailant's) weapon discharged, but the bullet did not strike the victim," the lieutenant said.

At that point, the would-be kidnapper got into the vehicle and drove off. The victim was taken to a hospital, where she was treated for minor injuries and released.

Police did not disclose how they identified the suspect as the alleged assailant.