LAGUNA BEACH : Man Held in Attacks on Shopkeepers
A 23-year-old man was arrested late Thursday in connection with a series of attacks on women shopkeepers as they were closing up for the evening, police said.
Juan Manuel Martinez of Laguna Beach was taken in custody about 9 p.m. near Cleo Street and Coast Highway, Sgt. Don Barney said. Details of the arrest were not available and it was not immediately clear how police connected him to the attacks.
Martinez was arrested on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon, battery and burglary, Barney said. He was being held in Laguna Beach City Jail in lieu of $100,000 bail.
Police this week warned women shopkeepers about a would-be rapist who had attacked three lone women over the last three months as they closed their stores. In each case the women fought off the attacker.
The same man was also suspected of stealing clothing from at least five other shops, police said.
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