Photo: pic of Martin Arias
September 8, 2021 – Ventura, Ca.
Taking a stroll alongside a community parkway is apparently no longer the peaceful, relaxing escape from the sturm und drang that has increasingly become the mantra of contemporary urban living.
Evidence of that came just after the noon hour on September 2 nd on the City of Ventura bike- and-pedestrian pathway fronting the verdant landscape of the city’s Kimball Park. According to the Ventura Police Department Watch Commander’s report, a 911 Emergency call received by the VPD dispatch center reported a victim who had been attacked by a passing bicyclist “for no apparent reason” after the bike rider “passed her and turned around to inflict unexpected physical contact and violence.
The witness reported that she “was able to fend off the attacker” without sustaining serious injury and provided a detailed description of the suspect that matched surveillance video recorded by cameras at the site of the attack. The image of the suspected attacker was posted on VPD social media platforms, and on September 5 th , a citizen report indicated that the individual had been spotted riding a bike in the same area.
Uniformed patrol officers responded to that location and made contact with 38-year-old Ventura resident Martin Arias. The ensuing investigation involved the September 7 th service of a search warrant at Arias’ residence pursuant to current terms of his parole status based on prior convictions for attempted robbery, sexual batter, and indecent exposure.
The fruit of the search of his residence revealed evidence linking him to the September 2 nd attack. He was then transported to Ventura County Jail, where he was booked on charges of false imprisonment with violence, attempted sexual battery, and parole violation. He remains in custody on a no-bail hold.
Photo: Courtesy Ventura Police Department
