VENTURA COUNTY — Proving once again the value of maintaining one’s vehicle in prime condition, a roadside flat tire on a Somis thoroughfare proved problematic for a female driver who accepted the volunteered assistance of a fellow motorist and putative “good Samaritan.”
According to Ventura County Sheriff’s Department spokesman Sgt. John Franchi, it was on the afternoon of October 28th when a female driver pulled over to the side of the road with a flat tire on her vehicle.
Shortly thereafter, 53-year-old Ventura resident Isidro Herrera “stopped to help her change a flat tire.” The female offered to repay Herrera for his efforts to the tune of $50 in cash, but “he declined the money and asked the victim for a handshake.”
Accepting his gracious offer, the victim extended her hand, whereupon Herrera “pulled the victim towards him and hugged her,” then using his body weight to pin her against her car and attempting to kiss her, touch her breast, and “put his hand up her shorts.”
The victim then managed to break away from Herrera and jump behind the wheel of her car, but Herrera persisted, climbing into her car and “stroking her hair” before the victim managed to get him out of her car and drive away.
Pursuant to the victim’s 911 Emergency call to report this chain of events, an investigation into the matter began into Herrera’s identity and whereabouts.
Nearly two weeks later, on November 7th, Herrera was contacted by deputies and determined to have been the assailant. He was taken into custody and transported to Ventura County Jail, where he was booked on a charge of sexual battery by force, with his bail set at $20,000.
