STEVENSON RANCH (CBS) — Residents of the Santa Clarita Valley say authorities failed to notify them about the arrest of a sexual assault suspect.

Jerry Moon, 18, was arrested for allegedly breaking into a house on Holmes Place, just blocks away from his own house on Steinbeck Avenue, and attacking a woman on Jan. 8.

He has been charged with 17 felonies, including attempted murder, false imprisonment and rape.

Officials say the local homeowner’s association provided video footage that helped in their investigation. Detectives say they also uncovered crucial DNA evidence.

Neighbors say it took investigators a full month to alert them about the crime.

“It’s a fine line when we release information to the public. We have to take into account the victim’s confidentiality,” said Lt. Steve Lowe of the L.A. County Sheriff’s Department. “We also take into account what leads we’re following up on.”

Authorities say they didn’t want Moon to flee as they conducted their investigation.