Naked man in Irvine attacks woman, 75, and takes her dog, police say
Irvine police have arrested a man suspected of assaulting a 75-year-old woman and her dog.
Craig Andrew Ledbetter, 51, of Irvine was taken into custody Tuesday after police received a report about 2:30 p.m. of a man acting strangely on Rockwood, in Irvine’s Woodbridge neighborhood.
When officers arrived, they found a man who was naked and “swinging a stick aggressively,” according to a news release. He also acted aggressively toward the responding police, who subdued him with Tasers, authorities said.
According to police, Ledbetter is suspected of assaulting a the woman before forcibly taking her dog.
The woman was taken to a hospital and is being treated for injuries, according to Times Community News.
Ledbetter was charged with aggravated assault, elder abuse, resisting a police officer and animal cruelty. Irvine police aren’t sure what might have motivated Ledbetter, and believe he did not know the woman.
As of Wednesday afternoon, Ledbetter remained in custody in lieu of $50,000 bail. County Jail records list his occupation as student.
The dog was unharmed.
Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact Det. Gavin Hudson at (949) 724-7168.
Zint writes for Times Community News.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
