Preliminary Hearing in Rape Case Delayed

A preliminary hearing for a Thousand Oaks man charged with raping two women and attempting to rape a third was continued Thursday to May 1, court officials said.

Jose Zavala, 21, pleaded not guilty during an arraignment in Ventura County Municipal Court last month. The preliminary hearing is to determine whether evidence warrants a trial.

Authorities arrested Zavala on Feb. 22 after he allegedly broke into the home of a 44-year-old Thousand Oaks woman and attempted to rape her.

When the woman fought back and her cries alerted family members to the scene, the attacker fled by jumping though a glass window. Police followed a trail of blood and found Zavala hiding under a car, they said.

Authorities believe Zavala is the same man who raped two Thousand Oaks women in their homes earlier this year. They suspect the twice-deported illegal immigrant sought out women living alone in his neighborhood.

Zavala is being held on $1-million bail.