Watch CBS News

Man Arrested In Connection With Brazen Attack On Female Jogger In Claremont

CLAREMONT (CBSLA.com) — Police Wednesday announced the arrest of a 24-year-old man suspected in a brazen attack on a female jogger in Blaisdell Park.

According to the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department, Jacob Latham, of Rancho Cucamonga, has been booked on suspicion of assault with intent to commit rape.

Around 7 a.m. on Monday, officers were sent to the 400 block of South College Avenue for report of a sexual assault.

Upon their arrival, officers located a mother of a 6-year-old girl who asked to be identified as Murphy.

A preliminary investigation revealed Murphy was jogging in the park when Latham approached her from behind and shoved her to the ground, according to the Claremont Police Department.

Murphy told officers she could feel Latham's hips thrusting against her while she was on the ground.

He attempted to pull her pants down and slap her backside, which prompted her to kick and scream as loud and as hard as she could.

"I started screaming and he put his hand up, put his hand over my mouth, and so I bit him as hard as I could," said Murphy. "I didn't have a clear certainty that it was a sexual assault until he started pulling my pants down and I'm like, 'Oh, no! This is not what's happening!' So, I was trying as best I could to defend myself and get away."

According to police, a woman was assaulted in Rancho Cucamonga about an hour earlier.

A description of the suspect involved in both incidents were similar to each other.

On Tuesday, detectives interviewed Latham and positively linked him in connection to the Claremont assault.

He is scheduled to appear in court in Rancho Cucamonga today.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.