Handyman breaks into California lady’s residence, sexually assaults her, detectives say
STANISLAUS COUNTY, Calif. (KTXL) – Detectives are searching for additional victims of a handyman who allegedly broke into the home of a Stanislaus County woman on Friday morning and sexually assaulted her.
Around 7:30 a.m., a woman reported being woken up by someone at her home, the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office said.
The woman told deputies a masked man armed with a pistol walked into her bedroom, the sheriff’s office reported. He then tied her up, choked her, and sexually assaulted her.
15-year-old girl arrested in Idaho in connection with a July shooting that killed a teenage antelope
Before leaving, the masked man stole the woman’s ATM card and threatened her, telling her not to call the police once he left.
The sheriff’s office said detectives with the Crimes Against Persons Division determined the suspect was 40-year-old Jose Luis Ramos Rivera, a handyman who had worked for the woman for several months.
When hiring Rivera, the woman snapped a photo of his ID, which the sheriff’s office said “helped his arrest on the same day he committed the crimes.”
Rivera was committed to the Stanislaus County Public Safety Center and faces multiple charges including robbery, home invasion, and assault with intent to commit rape.
Stanislaus County detectives said they believe Rivera may have more victims. They have asked anyone who has been or knows a victim to call Detective V. Esquivez at 209-567-4466. You can also submit an anonymous tip by calling Crime Stoppers at 209-521-4636 or by going to www.stancrimetips.org.
