Hemet Woman Fights Off Sexual Predator

A beauty school student in Hemet escaped a sexual predator by biting and fighting off the suspect when he tried to force himself on her, police said today.

The attack happened around 7:30 p.m. Wednesday near Kirby Street and Florida Avenue, according to Hemet police.

A 19-year-old woman attending the Marinello Beauty School at 2627 W. Florida Ave. left the facility to get a meal at a Chipotle Mexican Grill about a block away and was accosted by a man in a pickup truck on her way back, said Cpl. Dan Reinbolt.

He said the suspect drove alongside the victim and “started asking her where she was going.”

“The victim decided to walk down a dark alley behind Smart & Final, headed toward the school,” Reinbolt said. “The suspect followed the victim and, at some point, exited his vehicle and grabbed the victim around her waist. He carried her back to his truck and forced her into the passenger seat.”

The man tried to yank off the woman’s pants and push her down into the seat, but she fought back and bit the suspect on the right forearm, causing him to recoil and give the victim an opportunity to flee, according to Reinbolt.

The suspect was described as white, in his 40s, about 5 feet 8 inches and heavyset, with dark brown hair and a thin mustache. He was wearing a gray T- shirt, khaki pants, a white baseball cap and white sneakers.

He was driving a 1990s two-door Dodge pickup, possibly a Dakota, towing a small trailer loaded with janitorial supplies, according to Reinbolt.

“We would like to remind everyone to remember the basics of personal safety,” he said. “Walk in a group or with at least one other person as often as possible. Try to walk in a well-lit area … Lastly, do not be afraid to fight, kick and scream. Thankfully, the victim in this incident was able to fight off her attacker.”

Anyone with information about the assault was urged to contact Hemet police at (951) 765-2400.