A man is in custody following an alleged sexual assault at Skyline Ranch Park in Santa Clarita, as reported by a witness who called 911 near 11:00 p.m. Thursday. According to KTLA, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department's Lt. Molina indicated that upon their arrival, deputies apprehended the suspect and located the victim, an unidentified woman, on the ground near a picnic table. She was subsequently transported to a local hospital in an unknown condition.
Further details emerged when The Signal confirmed the suspect as Deangelo Lee Rivera, a 20-year-old warehouse worker, arrested on suspicion of raping an unconscious victim; the authorities are suggesting based on initial information that Rivera and the woman were acquainted and arrived at the park together, this comes at a time when sexual assault reports within the city limits have risen sharply, showing a 100% increase from the previous year though violent and overall crime rates have reportedly fallen for the SCV area.
As the investigation proceeds, locals are reacting with concern about safety in the community space. Speaking with ABC7, a Canyon Country resident expressed heightened wariness, indicating that the proximity of the incident has made the reality of such dangers all the more "alarming." Meanwhile, questions arose about the adequacy of park lighting, with the city clarifying that lights are routinely turned off at 10 p.m. upon the park's closure.
The Sheriff's Department is earnestly calling for any additional information as they conduct sexual assault forensics examinations on both the victim and the suspect, Rivera is currently being held on a $100,000 bail as per The Signal's report and is expected to make a court appearance on Monday, with many in the Santa Clarita community hoping that this incident will remain an isolated occurrence in what is generally regarded as a safe area, as a neighborhood resident, Alfonso Girón, relayed his surprise and hope to KTLA.
