A 25-year-old California man has been arrested for allegedly kidnapping a young woman and then taking her to a remote area in Ventura County to sexually assault her, authorities said.
On Sept. 7, a sergeant patrolling the area of Rancho Road and Thousand Oaks Boulevard in Thousand Oaks was flagged down by the female victim, who was standing in the roadway, the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office stated in a news release on Tuesday.
The 20-year-old woman told the sergeant she had been kidnapped and driven to a remote area by the suspect in an attempt to rape her.
“After a brief, but violent struggle with the suspect, she was able to escape from the suspect’s vehicle and relate information about the unknown male assailant,” the Sheriff’s Office said.
Sexual Assault Unit Detectives later identified the suspect as Thousand Oaks resident Hector Prado.
A search warrant was served at Prado’s home on the 100 block of Tennyson Street, where he was arrested on suspicion of kidnapping, false imprisonment by violence, assault with the intent to commit rape and sexual penetration with force, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
Investigators believe that due to the nature of the investigation, there may be more victims or witnesses. Anyone with information was asked to contact Detective Salas at 805-371-8397 or amanda.salas@venturacounty.gov. Callers can remain anonymous by contacting Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477.