A man walking along Lee Boulevard in Lehigh Acres Thursday morning, Jan. 7, was in serious condition after he was accosted, and stabbed, in an attempted robbery.

The Lee County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call from the Advance Auto Parts on Joel Boulevard at 9:41 a.m. The caller said a man walked into the store with blood on him and said he had been stabbed.

The victim, later identified as Joseph Mears, 40, had left his girlfriend’s house and was walking along Lee Boulevard with his bike.

Mears told investigators he was in an area north of the Advance Auto Parts when he was approached by a suspect described as a thin black male in his early 20s wearing a white shirt and blue pants.

The suspect stabbed Mears, then rummaged through his pockets, authorities said. Mears began fighting off the suspect and received three additional stab wounds before the suspect fled the area, they said.

Mears was unable to provide his girlfriend’s address at the time of the incident. Mears was airlifted to the hospital in serious condition, officials said.

Aviation and K-9 units responded to the scene along with multiple patrol deputies. Two schools were placed on lockdown while the Lee County Sheriff’s Office conducted an intensive search of the area. The suspect was not located.

Detectives from the Major Crimes Division responded to the hospital to speak with Mears. The investigation is ongoing at this time.

Anyone who has any information regarding this incident is asked to call the Lee County Sheriff’s Office at 239-477-1000. To remain anonymous and be eligible for a cash reward of up to $1,000, tipsters may call the Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers at 1-800-780-TIPS.