MV man, 21, arrested after att’d rape, robbery of woman, 61

MORENO VALLEY — Authorities arrested a man they say dragged a 61-year-old woman into the back of a Moreno Valley business where he sexually assaulted, attempted to rape, and then robbed the employee Thursday morning, Feb. 21. The victim was hospitalized after the violent and traumatizing encounter, which happened at an unspecified business in the 24000 block of Sunnymead Blvd., east of Heacock St., according to sheriff’s officials.

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During their investigation, officials utilized Moreno Valley’s city-wide camera surveillance system to identify, track down, and locate, Nathanael Jose Colbert-Chaves, 21, of Moreno Valley, Riverside Sheriff’s Investigator Gabriel Gil later explained.

Based on their investigation, officials arrested Colbert-Chaves and he was subsequently booked into Robert Presley Detention Center in Riverside on suspicion of kidnapping with intent to rape, second-degree robbery, assault with a deadly weapon, sexual penetration by force or fear, and attempted rape by force or fear. He remains in custody on $100,000 bail and is scheduled to be arraigned at Riverside’s Hall of Justice, Feb 26.

Deputies assigned to Moreno Valley Police Department began investigating Thursday’s violent incident at 8:15 a.m., after receiving a 911 call reporting an assault and robbery that just occurred at the Moreno Valley business.

When deputies arrived they found a 61-year-old resident of Moreno Valley at the business who was the victim of a sexual assault and robbery.

“The victim was transported to Riverside University Health Systems Hospital for treatment of her injuries,” Gil explained.

During their investigation, deputies learned that a man later identified as Colbert-Chaves entered the store and asked if they were hiring.  As the employee was speaking with the alleged suspect about job prospects, he suddenly grabbed her and dragged her into a back room at the otherwise empty business where he began to assault the 61-year-old.

During the attack, Colbert-Chaves began to sexually assault the victim, but she fought back – refusing to be victimized without a fight.

After sexually assaulting and attempting to rape the struggling and resisting victim, “Colbert-Chaves aborted his sexual assault,” grabbed the victim’s purse and phone, and fled from the business, according to Gil.  

Based on the circumstances, Moreno Valley PD’s Investigations Bureau responded to the scene and assumed the investigation.

Early in their investigation, officials used Moreno Valley’s city-wide camera surveillance system to obtain a description of the vehicle and partial license plate of the vehicle Colbert-Chaves fled the location in. Investigators also soon learned the alleged suspect used the victim’s credit cards at two locations in Moreno Valley and investigators were able to gather further information and details about Colbert-Chaves.

Based on the leads and details developed by investigators, deputies throughout Moreno Valley began searching for the suspect’s vehicle, eventually locating it parked at a residence in the 12000 block of Cobblestone Ln. in Moreno Valley, just four miles from where the alleged crimes occurred. 

Within hours of the attack, investigators served a search warrant at the residence where they apprehended Colbert-Chaves without incident.

“During a search of the residence, evidence of the crime was located inside Colbert-Chavez’s bedroom,” said Gil. Based on their investigation and evidence recovered from the man’s home, officials arrested Colbert-Chaves.

Officials used the incident to remind all Moreno Valley residents to remain vigilant and to always be aware of their surroundings, and to report any suspicious activity by calling 911 for emergencies, or calling the County Dispatch Center’s non-emergency line at (951) 247-8700.

Anyone with information about this investigation or who believes they may have been victimized by Colbert-Chaves is encouraged to immediately contact Moreno Valley PD Investigator Gabriel Gil at (951) 486-6700. Callers can refer to incident file number MV190520064 and can remain anonymous. Citizens may also submit a tip using the Sheriff’s CrimeTips online form.

Persons who wish to report criminal activity and wish to remain anonymous can call crime stoppers at 800-78-CRIME (800-782-7463) or 800-47-DRUGS (800-473-7847).  You can also leave anonymous information at www.riversidesheriff.org/tipline or www.wetip.com.

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Contact the writer: [email protected]

Trevor Montgomery, 47, moved last year to the Intermountain area of Shasta County from Riverside County and runs Riverside County News Source and Shasta County News Source. Additionally, he writes for several other news organizations; including Riverside County based newspapers, Valley News, The Valley Chronicle, and Anza Valley Outlook; as well as Bonsall/Fallbrook Village News in San Diego County and Mountain Echo in Shasta County.

Trevor 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, breaking his back, and suffering both spinal cord and brain injuries in an off-duty accident. (Click here to see segment of Discovery Channel documentary of Trevor’s accident.)

During his time with the sheriff’s department, Trevor worked at several different stations; including Robert Presley Detention Center, Southwest Station in Temecula, Hemet/Valle Vista Station, Ben Clark Public Safety Training Center, and Lake Elsinore Station; along with other locations.

Trevor’s assignments included Corrections, Patrol, DUI Enforcement, Boat and Personal Water-Craft based Lake Patrol, Off-Road Vehicle Enforcement, Problem Oriented Policing Team, and Personnel/Background Investigations. He finished his career while working as a Sex Crimes and Child Abuse Investigator and was a court-designated expert in child abuse and child sex-related crimes.

Trevor has been married for more than 28 years and was a foster parent to more than 60 children over 13 years. He is now an adoptive parent and his “fluid family” includes 13 children and 15 – but soon to be 16 – grandchildren.