Mar 15, 2008 12:37 pm US/Pacific
Sexual Assault Suspect Arrested After Pursuit
IRVINE, Calif.
A suspect led police Saturday on a pursuit after he allegedly assaulted a woman in Irvine, a police lieutenant said.
Police officers were called to the area of Lemongrass and West Yale Loop about 2:50 a.m. on a report of a sexual assault, Irvine police Lt. Rick Handfield said.
The victim, 18, told police she had met the suspect, identified as Miguel Angel Romero, through an acquaintance and accepted a ride home with him. The victim said that once inside her home, the suspect raped her, according to police.
The La Puente man, 27, returned to the area an hour later as police officers were conducting an investigation, according to Handfield.
Three officers ordered the suspect to stop. Police say the man attempted to hit a police sergeant with his car and then drove at another sergeant in a patrol car.
The suspect led police on a short pursuit during which one patrol car crashed into a garage door. The suspect then fled on foot, Handfield said.
"While searching for the suspect a frantic homeowner came out of her home and told officers that the suspect had entered her home," police said. "Her husband had armed himself with a handgun and confronted the suspect inside their home."
Police dogs from the Newport Beach and Costa Mesa police departments were sent into the house at 4:46 a.m., Handfield said, subduing the suspect.
Romero was arrested and "taken to the hospital because he claimed to have a prior injury," Handfield said.
He was booked on suspicion of rape and is held lieu of $1 million bail, police said.
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