Woman Reports Attack by Santa Ana Rapist

An eighth victim of the Santa Ana serial rapist has stepped forward, police said.

A 23-year-old woman reported the attack to police after attending a community awareness meeting Tuesday in the area of the attacks. She said she was attacked on July 30 as she was waiting for a ride to work.

Her attacker is believed to be the rapist who has eluded capture and is terrorizing a 30-block area in north Santa Ana, said Santa Ana police Sgt. Raul Luna.

The woman was waiting near a carport when the incident occurred.

“She said she was waiting at 4 in the morning to get picked up to go to work when she was approached from behind by a male who said if she didn’t do what he wanted her to do, he would kill her,” Luna said.

With knife in hand, the attacker began to force the victim to a secluded area in the apartment complex. At that point, someone driving a car toward the two noticed that the woman was in trouble and began flashing the car’s headlights. The attacker panicked, let go of the woman and fled.

The woman, who had been in this country for only a few months, did not report the attack to police.

“Because of the type of person this guy is, it’s the same guy and we know what his intentions are,” Luna said. “His intentions are to force sexual acts upon these vulnerable, innocent women.”

All the assaults between July 14 and Oct. 2 occurred in gated apartment complexes along the 17th Street corridor between the Santa Ana River and the Santa Ana Freeway.

In all cases, the rapist waited in a dark area and surprised the women from behind. Wielding a knife, he threatened to kill them if they didn’t comply.

Luna said investigators have received more than 200 leads, and 30 officers are working around the clock on the case, including uniformed patrol units in the corridor.

“The information appears to be credible, and we’re getting more information we feel that brings us closer to identifying the person responsible for the attacks,” Luna said.

The rapist is described as Latino, about 25, 5 feet 7 inches, 150 pounds, with a light complexion, distinctive eyes, slicked-back hair, and mostly recently, a large pimple on his nose.

Investigators ask that anyone with information about the man or the incidents call the Santa Ana Police Department at (714) 245-8701.