18-Year-Old High School Student Accused Of Being Serial Sexual Batterer

IRVINE (CBSLA) -- The Irvine Police Department has announced the arrest of a man in a series of sexual-battery attacks on joggers.

The man groped several joggers, authorities said.

Now identified as Keenan Al-Sayed Ahmad, 18, the man was arrested Friday after allegedly committing another battery.

Ahmad, a student at Northwood High School, was accused of throwing one woman to the ground and touching in her a sexual manner until her screams caused him to flee.

Last Friday, around 2 p.m., police said Ahmad spotted a jogger on the Jeffrey Open Space Trail. He allegedly approached the woman and then grabbed her buttocks. The victim called Irvine Police who made it on scene almost immediately. They said they were able to quickly identify Ahmad as the suspect and take him into custody.

The victim identified him, police said.

Ahmad later made bail.

He is believed to have committed at least two other battery cases including the one where he held a woman down and repeatedly fondled her in a sexual manner.

Wednesday, the Irvine Unified School District issued a statement:

"The Irvine Unified School District is cooperating with the Irvine Police Department as they conduct a thorough investigation into this matter. According to police, at this time, there is no indication that IUSD students have been injured or harmed or that this case is connected to Northwood High School. The safety and wellbeing of our students continues to be Northwood High School's and the District's top priority. Northwood High School will have counselors and staff available to support students who may be experiencing a variety of emotions and concerns.:

The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with additional information is asked to call the Irvine Police Department Detective Keith Herter at (949) 724-7183.