James Rivas mugshot (Sheriff-Coroner Department, County of Orange, CA)
An 18-year-old man has been arrested in the savage stabbing attack that injured a 28-year-old female jogger in Rossmoor earlier this week.
The attack occurred Tuesday around 9 p.m. in the affluent Orange County community. The suspect, identified in a release as James Rivas of Rossmoor, grabbed the victim from behind as she jogged along Bostonian Drive and stabbed her. During the struggle, the woman was able to knock the knife out of the assailant’s hand, but he recovered and pushed her to the ground, stabbing her twice more. Thankfully, a nearby resident heard the woman’s screams and rushed outside, warding off the attacker.
Suffering non-life-threatening wounds to her face, arm and hand, the woman was treated for her injuries and later released from a local hospital.
Investigators from the Orange County Sheriff’s Department interviewed neighboring residents and employees of nearby businesses, and a lead finally shed light on the investigation Thursday afternoon. A description of the suspect matched that of Rivas, who “was known to ride a BMX bike and carry knives,” according to the release, which also notes that the suspect lives just three blocks from the scene of the assault.
While deputies from the Orange County Sheriff’s Department conducted surveillance on Rivas’ home, they witnessed him leaving his house around 8 p.m. and approached him, spurring a short pursuit. Rivas was taken into custody, and a knife was recovered nearby.
Rivas was booked into the Orange County Jail for attempted murder and was being held on $500,000 bail, reports City News Service.
Jim Amormino of the Orange County Sheriff’s Department told CNS the suspect “made no attempt to sexually assault her” and “didn’t say one word.” Amormino added, “She said he looked angry.”
The investigation is ongoing.
Related:
Jogger Stabbed in Upscale Orange County Community
Editor’s note: This post has been updated with comments by Jim Amormino of the Orange County Sheriff’s Department.