Cathedral City man suspected of abducting UC Riverside student in June

Riverside police announced Wednesday that they arrested a Cathedral City man suspected of abducting a UC Riverside student in June.

Donald Earl Rosenbek, 30, was taken into custody earlier this week following a month-long investigation. Police said fingerprint evidence was the key to identifying him as the alleged perpetrator of the June 8 kidnapping of the female student in a parking garage.

“Everything about this case is unusual,” said Detective Rick Wheeler. “The fact that this was done in broad daylight is very out of the ordinary.”

He said police suspect Rosenbek intended to commit a sexual assault. The student, a psychology major, told investigators she was shopping and was grabbed by an assailant upon returning to her vehicle in the University Towers parking lot in the 3500 block of Iowa Avenue around 3:15 p.m.

The abductor grabbed her from behind and forced her into his vehicle, tying her up and placing a garment over her head to obscure her vision. The victim told police that she was struck several times by the man, who was dressed in black and driving a 2009 or newer charcoal gray Nissan Sentra.

The woman said she broke free of her restraints and convinced the kidnapper that what he was doing was wrong and to take her back to her vehicle, which he did about an hour later.

According to jail records, Rosenbek was arrested Tuesday in Cathedral City and was booked at the Robert Presley Detention Center in Riverside in lieu of $500,000 bail.

Rosenbek has been a part of the Champion Life Church in Palm Desert for the last couple of years, according to Pastor Eddie Windsor. The church gave the following statement to News Channel 3 and CBS Local 2 on Thursday:

We were shocked and saddened to hear what has been reported in the news with regards to Donny Rosenbek. Donny has been a part of our church for the last two years and during this time we’ve known him to be a kind and respectful individual. Our prayers are with all those involved and affected by this incident. We believe God is capable of bringing peace and hope in all circumstances.

– Pastor Eddie Windsor, Champion Life Church

Rosenbek is slated to appear for a bail-setting conference on Friday, October 10 at the Riverside Hall of Justice. His arraignment is scheduled for October 15.

News Channel 3 and CBS Local 2 will provide updates as the case moves forward.