15-Year-Old Arrested in Rape Attempt
A 15-year-old boy whom police said attempted to rape a jogger at Centennial Regional Park was arrested early Sunday after a cyclist who had been passing by led officers to him.
The incident occurred at the park at 2100 S. Fairview St. at 7:40 a.m. The victim was jogging when the teenager accosted her from behind, dragging her into some bushes where he attempted to choke her, police said. The woman was able to break away and flag down a man who was biking by, Santa Ana Police Sgt. Dick Faust said.
As the woman ran to call police, the cyclist followed the suspect, who had fled on foot along Fairview, Faust said. The cyclist flagged down officers and directed them to the suspect, police said.
The Santa Ana youth was taken into custody and is being held at Orange County Juvenile Hall on suspicion of sexual assault, Faust said. The victim, a 24-year-old Santa Ana resident, sustained bruises to her throat and upper body, police said.
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