Landscaper in Custody Faces Charges for Attempting to Rape his Roommate
NOVATO — A landscaper allegedly attempted to rape a woman after her husband left for work. The suspect Byron O. Barrera-Lopez, 43, remains in custody at Marin County Jail in lieu of $210,000 bond.
The victim was able to escape and fled from her home to the Novato Police Department. On March 30 at 9:21 a.m., she reported that she was sexually assaulted by her roommate. Her torn clothing and injuries were consistent with
sexual assault.
She told police that the suspect made sexual advances towards her, which she rebuffed, and then he assaulted her. Medical treatment was summoned for the victim and an investigation followed.
Barrera-Lopez was located by Novato officers several hours later in the downtown area. Apparently, he was intoxicated with alcohol when he was arrested at 2:30 p.m., near Redwood Drive and Olive Avenue.
In addition to attempted rape and assault to commit rape, Barrera-Lopez faces four more felony charges. His other charges include forcible penetration with a foreign object on a weak person. That is in addition to kidnapping, false imprisonment, and making threats to terrorize.
At the time of his arrest, Berrera-Lopez underwent a blood alcohol test. Consequently, he is also charged with a misdemeanor DUI.
In June 2020, Barrera-Lopez was arrested three times for DUI alcohol/drug incidents. This includes driving with a suspended license and operating a vehicle without a court ordered ignition interlock device.
