ROSSMOOR (CBSLA.com) — An 18-year-old man was arrested Thursday for attempted murder in the stabbing of a female jogger in Orange County earlier this week.
KNX 1070′s Margaret Carrero reports neighbors were stunned when James Rivas was identified as a suspect following an interview conducted by Orange County Sheriff’s investigators.
Prior to his arrest, deputies conducted a surveillance of Rivas’ Rossmoor home that he shares with his parents.
“At approximately 8 p.m., Rivas was seen leaving his residence. Deputies identified themselves and a short foot pursuit ensued before Rivas was taken into custody,” officials said in a statement.
Lt. Mike Gavin said he’s convinced they have the right guy.
(credit: OC Sheriff’s Dept.)
“We’ve been conducting a non-stop investigation for two days,” he said. “We’ve had over 20 people out here, some of our best investigators trying to get some good leads in the case, and we got some tonight. We have a suspect and he’s in custody. We’re questioning him.”
The attack happened Tuesday just after 9 p.m. in the 3200 block of Bostonian Drive.
Rivas is accused of grabbing a 28-year-old jogger from behind and stabbing her three times in the face, hand, and neck.
A neighbor heard the woman’s screams and ran to help her as the assailant fled on a black BMX bike.
“A knife was recovered nearby and was taken as evidence,” officials said.
Next-door neighbor and Los Alamitos High School classmate Carmen Hodgeson said Rivas never seemed to pose a threat.
“Whenever I see him, he’s either playing basketball with his friends or riding on his BMX bike,” said Hodgeson.
Rivas is being held on $500,000 bail. A motive for the attack is unknown.
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