Photo: Juan M. Torres
Ventura County – There may be no crime more alarming to the average citizen than a residential break-in and burglary during pre-dawn hours when those inside the home are dead asleep.
That was the frightening episode experienced by a 20-year-old woman who was reportedly assaulted by an intruder while she was in slumber at approximately 4:40 a.m. on the morning of June 14th.
According to Ventura County Sheriff’s Department spokesman Det. Sgt. Kevin Lynch, the intruder “entered the home through an unsecured window” and then attacked the sleeping woman.
The victim’s response to the attack alerted others in the home and the suspect quickly fled the scene. A call to 911 Emergency quickly brought VCSD deputies to the scene, along with a K-9 unit and the VCSD helicopter Air Patrol.
Those resources immediately conducted “a coordinated search” during which area residents began to call the Sheriff’s Dispatch Center to report “a suspicious individual” moving through their properties.
Deputies then spotted the suspect and attempted contact. Following a brief footchase, 42-year-old Moorpark resident Juan M. Torres was brought to ground and taken into custody.
Investigation at the scene indicated that Torres had been trespassing throughout the area and breaking into unlocked garages.
No stranger to handcuffs with a “significant criminal past,” Torres was transported to Ventura County Jail where he was charged with first degree burglary, false imprisonment, dissuading a witness, trespassing, being under the influence of methamphetamine, and parole violation. He remains in custody with his bail set at $500,000.
Photo: Courtesy Ventura County Jail Booking
