Investigators with the Orange County Sheriff’s Department are trying to use DNA evidence to figure out if a man who sexually assaulted a woman in Aliso Viejo last month is the same person who attacked two other women in the area last year.
“A woman was walking alone around Pacific Park Drive and Alicia Parkway Saturday [Aug. 28] at night when a man grabbed her from behind and dragged her into some bushes," O.C. sheriff’s Sgt. Todd Hylton said.
The location and manner of the latest assault—with the victim being grabbed from behind and dragged into bushes—suggested to investigators that the man might be the same person responsible for two attacks which occurred last year.
"The manner of the attack, in which the female victim was alone and was grabbed from behind—all [the women] describing a muscular arm—and the location of where these attacks occurred lead us to believe that these are all connected,” Hylton said.
First incident: Occurred on Jan. 20, 2020, in the area of Woodfield Park in Aliso Viejo. A 22-year-old woman reported that while she was skateboarding, an unknown man attempted to talk to her then unexpectedly grabbed her. She fought and screamed during the attack.
Second incident: Occurred on April 2, 2020, when deputies responded to Woodfield Park after a woman reported a man grabbed her from behind and forced her into the bushes off a nearby hiking trail. The victim, a female in her 30s, fought back and screamed for help. The suspect then fled the scene.
Third incident: Occured on Aug. 28, 2021, only a few blocks away from Woodfield Park.
Hylton said the department has a description of the attacker reportedly responsible for last year’s attacks. But because the victim of Saturday’s assault was attacked from behind and lost consciousness, she was unable to identify the suspect.
Last year’s attacker is described as being in his mid 30s with dark eyes, a muscular build and little to know hair. He was reportedly wearing a black shirt, black shorts and tennis shoes.
Anyone with information possibly relating to the attacks can contact the Orange County Sheriff’s Department at (714) 647-7000 or (949) 770-6011.
Those wishing to remain anonymous can contact Orange County Crime Stoppers at (855) 847-6227 or online at OCCrimeStoppers.org.