MENIFEE: Female student fights back, escapes from attacker on college campus

MENIFEE – A Hemet resident was arrested Tuesday, Oct. 4, after he allegedly held a woman against her will and assaulted her in a woman’s restroom at the Mt. San Jacinto College’s Menifee Campus at 28237 La Piedra Road in Menifee. The victim defended herself and fought back, managing to flee from the restroom where the incident reportedly occurred.

After investigating the incident, Tyrell Nathaniel Brown, 29, of Hemet, was arrested and booked into the Southwest Detention Center for two felonies related to the incident, according to Riverside Sheriff’s Sergeant James Burton. Additional charges could be added by the District Attorney’s office.

The investigation began the day before on Monday, Oct. 3, when the victim reported the incident to law enforcement officers.

The incident reportedly occurred at about 9 a.m. when a man confronted an 18-year-old female Mt. San Jacinto College student inside a woman’s restroom on the campus.

Brown reportedly cornered the victim as she was exiting a bathroom stall. Brown blocked the student’s path and instructed her to change into clothing that he had brought with him.

When the victim refused and attempted to leave the restroom – Brown, who stands 6’2″ – allegedly prevented her from leaving the bathroom stall where he had cornered her.

“The victim refused to comply with the suspect’s demands and was able to defend herself when the suspect advanced toward her,” according to Burton. “The victim was able to flee from the bathroom without injury and immediately contacted law enforcement.”

Through investigative means, campus police and deputies identified Brown as the alleged suspect.

Mt. San Jacinto College Police, with assistance from deputies from the Hemet and Menifee Sheriff’s Stations contacted Brown at his residence on Honeysuckle Way in the City Hemet. Brown’s residence is located less than one half mile and within walking distance of Mary Henley Park.

Brown was detained for further investigation. Based on their investigation, Mt San Jacinto police officers arrested Brown.

A jail record search revealed Brown was booked on suspicion of false imprisonment and assault with intent to commit rape. He is being held in lieu of $50,000 bail and is scheduled to be seen Murrieta Southwest Justice Center Oct. 6.

“The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department and the Mt. San Jacinto College are committed to the safety of the community and will be vigilant in investigating all crimes of this nature,” Burton wrote in a press release.

The investigation is ongoing and we are seeking the public’s assistance and encouraging anyone with information related to this or similar incidents to contact Deputy Waters at the Hemet Sheriff’s Station at (951) 791-3400 or the Riverside County Sheriff’s Dispatch Center (800) 950-2444. Callers can refer to incident file number SJ162770003 and can remain anonymous. Citizens may also submit a tip to the department by emailing the Hemet Station or by using the Sheriff’s CrimeTips online form.

 

Contact the writer: [email protected]

Trevor Montgomery spent 10 years in the U.S. Army as an Orthopedic Specialist before joining the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department in 1998. He was medically retired after losing his leg in an off-duty accident.

During his time with the sheriff’s department, Trevor worked at several different stations, including the Robert Presley Detention Center, the Southwest Station in Temecula, the Hemet Station, and the Lake Elsinore Station, along with many other locations.