17-Year-Old Sexual Battery Suspect Arrested When Spotted by Victim

A 17-year-old who ran off after allegedly groping a Murrieta woman was arrested a day later when the victim saw him walking down the road, police said Thursday.

The alleged attack occurred at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday at Las Brisas Apartments at 40125 Los Alamos Road, according to Murrieta police Sgt. Steve Dyer.

The woman was walking in the courtyard of the complex when an unknown male teenager approached her from behind, the sergeant said.

"The male reached around from the back of the victim with both hands and touched her inappropriately for several seconds," Dyer said in a news release. "As the victim turned around, the suspect let go and ran away."

Officers responded but were unable to locate the suspect.

At 3:07 p.m. Thursday, the victim was driving when she saw the suspect walking on the sidewalk near Los Alamos Road and Lincoln Avenue, according to Dyer.

While she called 911, the husband got out of the car and followed the suspect on foot, Dyer said.

Murrieta officers arrived and detained the 17-year-old, whose name was not released because of his age.  

After the woman positively identified him as the person who touched her inappropriately the day before, he was arrested on suspicion of misdemeanor sexual battery and booked into Southwest Juvenile Detention Center, Dyer said.

The arrest took place shortly after nearby Murrieta Mesa High School and Shivela Middle School let out for the day.

Investigators learned that the juvenile was already on felony probation, according to Dyer.

Anyone with information in the investigation was asked to call the on-duty watch commander at 951-696-3615. Tips can also be provided anonymously through "We Tip" at 1-800-78-CRIME.