Woman Abducted From Simi Street and Raped

A Winnetka woman was raped in Simi Valley by the driver of a black van after she was abducted from a busy section of Los Angeles Avenue, Simi Valley authorities said.

The sexual assault is not believed to be related to the serial rapist linked to several attacks in the city, said Simi Valley Police Lt. Mike Brewer.

The 37-year-old woman was abducted from a sidewalk between Yosemite Avenue and Rory Lane between 8 and 9 p.m. Wednesday, authorities said. The black van pulled up next to her, and a man in the back pulled her into the vehicle. Police said he held a knife to her throat and the driver raped her.

Authorities said the woman was later dumped off in the area where she was abducted. The men are described as being in their mid-20s with short brown hair. The driver was wearing a tan shirt, and the other man had a mustache and was wearing a dark short-sleeved shirt, police said. The van had carpet on the floor and no seats in the rear, police reported.

Anyone with information should call the Simi Valley Police Department at 583-6993.