PHOENIX -- Police identified the man wearing a mariachi suit who they suspect stabbed a taxi driver Wednesday morning, authorities said.

Officers said they do not know why Jose Torres Montes, 37, attacked the woman driving cab No. 25 from Estrella Cab Company.

The driver, who is in her 20s, picked up the fare near 47th Avenue, police said. Montes attacked her, stabbing her several times in the throat and chest area, police said.

The assailant then forced the victim into the trunk of the cab and drove around, authorities said. She escaped and had someone contact police.

The driver called dispatch from her cell phone at 4 a.m., but the person at dispatch could not understand what she was saying, police said.

Dispatch called police, and officers found her near 33rd Avenue, police said.

The victim is in critical condition, authorities said.

Officers found her cab in west Phoenix several hours later, authorities said. Montes is still at large, police said.

Police said Montes is a Hispanic male last seen wearing a dark mariachi outfit complete with a guitar. He is 5 feet 6 inches tall, has medium-length black hair and weighs between 180 pounds, police said.

According to authorities, he is armed with a knife.

If arrested, Montes could face charges including armed robbery, kidnapping and attempted homicide.

Anyone with additional information is asked to contact the Phoenix Police Department at 602-262-6141 or Silent Witness at 480-WITNESS.