- Taylor O’Neill was on his way to work when he stumbled across the vehicle
- He heard muffled screams coming from the truck and spotted the victim inside
- O’Neill sprinted over and tried forcing the door open but the suspect fled
- He took pictures of the vehicle and it led to the arrest of a 27-year-old suspect
A hero passer-by stopped a potential rape when he rescued a woman from a pickup truck whose mouth had been covered with duct tape by her attacker.
Taylor O’Neill was on his way to work when he stumbled across the suspect’s vehicle which was blocking his way.
He heard muffled screams coming from the truck and spotted the victim inside.
O’Neill sprinted over and tried to open the door whilst banging the window and in the fracas the 28-year-old woman was able to escape.
Taylor O’Neill was on his way to work when he stumbled across the suspect’s vehicle which was blocking his way
The attacker fled the scene, but not before O’Neill snapped pictures of the white pickup which led to the arrest of the suspect – 27-year-old Jorge Cruz De Armas.
O’Neill told KTLA: ‘I saw her with her face duct-taped and him on top of her choking her’.
‘That’s when I tried to open the door and banged on the window to get her out of there, get her safe, and deal with him later.’
The victim had got in the car after Armas offered her a lift.
He then asked her if she wanted to have sex with him, which she refused.
Santa Ana Police detectives arrested 27-year-old Jorge Cruz De Armas at his workplace after evidence at the crime scene led police to his identity
Unperturbed, he asked for her number, and when she refused again it is alleged Armas attacked her.
A spokesman for Santa Ana Police Department said: ‘A Santa Ana man suspected of kidnapping and attempting to sexually assault a 28-year-old woman was arrested in Costa Mesa last night.
‘Santa Ana Police detectives arrested 27-year-old Jorge Cruz De Armas at his workplace after evidence at the crime scene led police to his identity.
‘On Monday at about 4.30pm, De Armas contacted the victim and offered her a ride.
‘The victim accepted the offer and willingly entered his vehicle.
‘Moments later, De Armas asked the victim if she wanted to have sex with him and she refused.
‘De Armas drove the victim to an alley in the 1600 block of East Palm Street in Santa Ana where he attacked the victim.
‘De Armas began to strangle the victim and covered her mouth with duct tape.
‘A Good Samaritan heard screaming coming from De Armas’s vehicle and quickly approached and interrupted the assault.
‘The Good Samaritan opened the door and rescued the victim.
‘He also took photos of the vehicle as the suspect fled the scene.’