VCSD: Public’s help still sought in
SP area orchard sexual assault cases

It’s been more than a year in one case and almost a year in a second sexual assault, still unsolved crimes that occurred just west of Santa Paula that seem to have been committed by separate men.

Ventura County Sheriff’s officials are still investigating the two sexual assaults and are again asking the public for their help in finding the suspects.

The first incident was reported on Feb. 26, 2013. A woman told investigators she was driving on West Santa Paula Street just west of Peck Road when a man accosted her.

The suspect forced the victim into the orchard and sexually assaulted her.

The woman was trying to fight off her assailant when a rancher driving in the area scared the suspect off. He fled on foot.

The suspect was described as a Hispanic male, between 35 and 45 years old, between 5’8” and 6’0” tall with a large belly. He was wearing a dark colored hooded sweatshirt and faded blue jeans. He was further described as having a round face with “chubby cheeks” and discolored teeth.

The second incident occurred May 20 when a woman was jogging in the same general area of the February attack at about 9 a.m. 

A man confronted the jogger, displayed a knife and forced the woman into the nearby orchard where he sexually assaulted her. Following the attack the suspect fled on foot.

The suspect from the May incident was described as a white male, between 20 and 30 years old, about 5’7” tall with a medium build. He was wearing dark clothing, including a hooded sweatshirt, and dark sunglasses.