Man Arrested On Suspicion Of Assaulting Runner At OC Park
LAGUNA NIGUEL (CBSLA.com) — A 22-year-old man suspected of assaulting a woman at a park in Orange County has been arrested, deputies said on Friday.
According to the Orange County Sheriff's Department, Sean Salaber, of Riverside, was taken into custody near Kite Hill and Becard drives on Thursday.
Shortly before 7 p.m. that evening, deputies were sent to Aliso and Wood Canyons Regional Park, located near Alicia Parkway and Aliso Creek Road, for report of a female victim who was threatened with a handgun.
Upon their arrival, authorities located a 23-year-old woman who reported Salaber tackled her from behind, held a handgun to her head and sexually groped her while she was running on the trails.
A preliminary investigation revealed that when the victim screamed for help, he ordered her to remain quiet.
During the struggle, a bystander's response to her screams for help scared Salaber off.
According to deputies, he was located about one-quarter of a mile from the park, just 40 minutes after the assault occurred.
Salaber is being held on $100,000 at the Orange County Sheriff's Department jail for attempted rape, false imprisonment and assault with a deadly weapon. Deputies said additional charges are pending.
He is scheduled to appear in court on Monday.
The investigation is ongoing as authorities collect evidence from Salaber's vehicle and search for the handgun he used during the assault.
Anyone with information regarding this case has been urged to contact the Orange County Sheriff's Department's Special Victims Unit at (714) 647-7418.
