RIVERSIDE: Officials arrest man accused of 2 recent roadside sexual assaults, robberies

UPDATE: 12/30/2016 7 p.m.

RIVERSIDE – Riverside police officials announced the arrest of a man accused of two recent attempted sexual assaults and robberies that occurred along the I-215 Freeway in Riverside. The two incidents happened on Friday, Dec. 23 and Thursday, Dec. 29.

In both incidents the suspect, who was later identified as Joseph Pete Macias, 34, of Riverside, used his SUV to bump into the back of female victim’s vehicles to cause them to pull over. Macias then sexually assaulted the victims and robbed them at knife-point.

During the course of investigating the two crimes, officials determined the same individual was responsible for both incidents.

Detectives located and arrested Macias for the two incidents after officials received a tip from a concerned citizen which led them to identify Macias as the suspect.

After receiving the tip, detectives from the Riverside Police Department’s Sexual Assault/Child Abuse Unit, Gang Intelligence Unit and the METRO/SWAT Team served a search warrant at a residence in the 4400 block of Winslow Court in Riverside this morning about 2 a.m.

During the service of the search warrant, officials located the suspect at the residence along with the vehicle used in the crimes, according to Riverside police officials.

Macias was booked into the Robert Presley Detention Center for numerous felony charges.

An online jail records search revealed Macias was booked on suspicion of attempted murder, kidnapping, robbery and sexual penetration by force. He is being held in lieu of $1 million dollars bail and is scheduled to be arraigned at the Riverside Hall of Justice Jan. 4.

Riverside police officials believe there may be additional victims related to this series of crimes who have not come forward and have asked anyone who may have been a victim to contact Detective Karla Beler at (951) 353-7125.

 

ORIGINAL STORY

Riverside police officials recently announced they are investigating two reported incidents of sexual assault and robbery that occurred along the I-215 Freeway in the Riverside area, after a male suspect intentionally rear-ended the back of female motorists, causing the victims to pull over to the side of the road.

In both cases, the suspect then attempted to sexually assault the victims and robbed them of personal property just before fleeing. Although both incidents are similar, officials say they have not yet determined if they are related.

The first incident happened Friday, Dec. 23, about 1:16 a.m., in the 5700 block of Sycamore Canyon Boulevard. Riverside police officers responded to the location after receiving a 911 call from the victim reporting an attempted sexual assault and armed robbery that just occurred.

Investigating officers learned the victim had stopped to fuel her vehicle at a gas station on University Avenue near the I-215 Freeway. As the victim left the gas station she noticed a vehicle begin to follow her.

The victim re-entered the southbound I-215 Freeway and exited the Central Avenue off-ramp. As she began to slow for a red traffic light, the suspect’s SUV struck the back of her vehicle. The victim pulled to the side of the off-ramp to examine the damage and obtain the other driver’s information.

The suspect exited his vehicle armed with a knife. He then attempted to sexually assault the victim and robbed the victim of her property. The suspect then fled from the area and was last seen driving away from the location, southbound on the I-215 Freeway.

The second incident happened six days later on Thursday, Dec. 29. Riverside police officers responded to the 1300 block of Blaine Street about 4:12 a.m., after receiving a 911 call from the victim reporting an attempted sexual assault and armed robbery that just occurred.

Officers investigating the incident learned the victim was travelling northbound on the I-215 Freeway between University Avenue and Blaine Street when an unidentified suspect intentionally struck the back of her vehicle, causing the victim to pull over near the Blaine Street exit.

As in the first incident, the suspect exited his vehicle armed with a knife, attempted to sexually assault the victim and stole her property. The suspect then fled from the location in his vehicle at which time the victim ran to the nearest open business to call police.

The suspect in both incidents has been described as a Hispanic male adult, about 30-35 years old, 5’7” – 5’8” tall, with a skinny build, un-groomed facial hair, and wearing a dark color hooded sweatshirt.

The suspect’s vehicle in both incidents was described as an older model, box style, dark green smaller SUV. The passenger side rear window appeared to be broken and was covered with cardboard.

Because the circumstances between the two incidents were so similar, officials believe both incidents were possibly related to one suspect.

Police officials have advised citizens if they are involved in a traffic collision along the freeway or city streets, especially late at night, to pull over in a well-lit area or open business.

If you are concerned for your safety or believe the collision was an intentional act, immediately call for law enforcement assistance. Provide a detailed description of the suspect and suspect vehicle, and continue driving until you find a safe area to stop and wait for assistance.

The Riverside Police Department and California Highway Patrol wants drivers to be safe while traveling our roads and highways.

If you are involved in a collision and need assistance, do not hesitate to call. For emergencies, dial 911. For non-emergencies, call (951) 354-2007 for Riverside PD or (951) 637-8000 for CHP.

 

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.