Photo: sketches of assault suspect
The Orange County sheriff’s Department issued this press release, with sketches, of a suspect in two separate assault incidents –
“ALISO VIEJO, Ca. (April 3, 2020): Investigators are looking to identify a man suspected of kidnapping and assaulting a 30-year-old woman on the Aliso Creek trail.
At approximately 4:50 p.m., on Thursday, April 2, deputies responded to Woodfield Park after a woman reported a man grabbed her from behind and forced her into the bushes off the hiking trail, just east of the baseball fields. The victim fought back and screamed for help, and the suspect fled the area.
The suspect is described as a man is his mid-30s, with dark eyes and little-to-no hair, with a muscular build, wearing a black shirt, black shorts and tennis shoes.
On January 20, 2020 a sexual assault occurred in the same area. A 22-year-old woman reported that while she was skateboarding at Woodfield Park, an unknown man attempted to talk to her then unexpectedly grabbed the victim, who fought and screamed during the incident.
The victim from the April 2 incident reviewed footage captured by cameras in the area and identified an individual wearing black shorts and a black T-shirt as a person of interest.
Investigators believe the suspect in both incidents may be the same individual.
Following the January 2020 assault, the Orange County Sheriff’s Department set up a task force in an attempt to identify and arrest the suspect. A team of more than 100 Sheriff’s Department personnel ran multiple operations in the area over five days.
In addition, investigators worked with local businesses on leads and launched a public information campaign that included social media, traditional media and text message alerts. Despite a concerted effort, the task force operations did not result in a suspect being identified.
If you have information or may be able to identify the suspect, contact the Special Victims Detail at 714-647-7419. Anonymous information may be provided through Orange County Crime Stoppers at 1-855-TIP-OCCS.”
