Man Held in Attempt to Rape Two Joggers

A Sylmar man who allegedly attempted to sexually assault two female joggers Friday morning in separate attacks five minutes apart was arrested around 11 a.m. at his grandmother’s home in Pacoima, according to Los Angeles Police Department detectives.

Foothill Division detectives called a news conference Friday afternoon to announce that the suspect, identified as Jose Diaz, 24, was in custody and to encourage any possible victims to contact police.

Det. Corrine Malinka said the suspect sneaked up behind a 34-year-old woman about 7 a.m. as she was running near Eldridge Avenue and Sayre Street.

“He pulled down the woman’s pants and attempted to rape her, but she managed to get away,” Malinka said.

Five minutes later and two blocks away at Lexicon Avenue and Aztec Street, Malinka said, the same man ran up behind another jogger, a 37-year-old woman, and attacked her in similar fashion.

The second woman also managed to escape, but police said the attack was witnessed by several individuals, who then followed the man to a nearby house.

Officers, summoned by a witness who had seen the attack from his car, surrounded the house. Police determined he was not in the residence but the occupants, who are related to Diaz, told police Diaz might be at his grandmother’s house in Pacoima.

They directed police to a house in the 13800 block of Desmond Street, where Diaz was arrested without incident.

Lt. Rick Papke said Diaz was being held on suspicion of attempted rape and parole violation. Diaz was on parole for a previous grand theft conviction, Papke said.

“We request that anyone who has been sexually assaulted, including being grabbed or touched in their private parts, while jogging or walking, to call police,” Papke said.

Malinka said police feel that, because of the aggressiveness of the assaults Friday, the suspect may have approached others on previous occasions.

Anyone with information should call (818) 834-3115 weekdays and (818) 756-8861 evenings and weekends.