A 22-year-old Oceanside man is behind bars after multiple women reported being targeted while hiking at the Calavera Nature Preserve in Carlsbad, authorities said. Victims told police a man on an electric bicycle rode up behind them on the trail and reached out to strike them as he passed. Officers on patrol Friday spotted someone who matched those descriptions and took him into custody, while detectives continue investigating the case.
What police say
The Carlsbad Police Department said in a news release that officers responding last Friday located a person who matched earlier descriptions of the victim, leading to an arrest. According to the release, investigators believe the suspect focused on women using the Calavera Nature Preserve trails over the past few weeks and that the incidents followed a similar pattern. Detectives booked the individual into the Vista Detention Facility while they continue to investigate, the Carlsbad Police Department said.
Alleged pattern and arrest details
FOX5 San Diego reported that the suspect is 22, an Oceanside resident, and was arrested on suspicion of seven counts of assault. He allegedly rode an electric bicycle up behind women on the trail and struck their buttocks as he passed. Victims told investigators these encounters had been happening over the past few weeks leading up to the Friday arrest. According to the outlet, the arrest came after a focused investigation by patrol officers and detectives.
Investigation continues
Detectives are now reviewing incident reports and following up on leads to find out whether there are additional victims. Authorities urged anyone who saw suspicious activity on Calavera trails, or who may have captured video or other evidence, to contact investigators. In its statement, the Carlsbad Police Department said it is taking the reports seriously while the probe continues.
Legal status
The arrest was described as being "on suspicion" of seven counts of assault, which means it is not a conviction. Prosecutors will decide whether to file formal charges once investigators present their evidence. FOX5 San Diego noted that the suspect was booked into the Vista Detention Facility, and that booking and charging decisions are handled separately by the San Diego County Sheriff's booking staff and the District Attorney's Office. Authorities said the matter remains under active investigation and that more information could be released as it becomes available, according to FOX5 San Diego.
