Crime & Safety
Man Accused Of Grabbing Women Near Aliso Viejo Creek Arrested
Authorities said a man was arrested on suspicion of attacking and grabbing four women along the Aliso Creek.
ALISO VIEJO, CA — A man accused of grabbing four women in Aliso Viejo earlier this month was arrested on Wednesday, the Orange County Sheriff's Department said.
Recent Task Force Investigations of incidents along the Aliso Creek Hiking Trail led OCSD officers to arrest Christopher Lopez, 30, of Aliso Viejo. The circumstances of his arrest have not yet been released.
Lopez has been booked in the Orange County Jail on suspicion misdemeanor child molestation or annoyance, and is being held on $500,000 bail.
Find out what's happening in Aliso Viejofor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Four women have reported being grabbed by a person resembling the suspect, according to investigators.
On Tuesday, a woman walking in the area of Sheep Hill park was grabbed by the arm and yanked backward into her attacker. She fought with the suspect and escaped, she told authorities.
Find out what's happening in Aliso Viejofor free with the latest updates from Patch.
A few days before, an 11-year-old girl claimed she was grabbed at the same park and dragged toward the bushes. She screamed, and the man released her, the girl reported to officials.
A week before that, two incidents of child annoyance were reported by an Aliso Viejo Middle School student and an Aliso Niguel High School student. Both were walking in the area of Aliso Creek Hiking Trail near their schools.
In both of those cases, the girls said that someone grabbed them, and then retreated when they fought back, according to officials.
In all but one case, the victims were able to work with a sketch artist to release an approximate image of the man responsible.
"In all cases, the girls and young women were grabbed," OCSD Sgt. Joses Walehwa told Patch. "In all cases there was a man who grabbed them. Any other similarities are still being investigated."
Members of the Task Force continue to follow up on tips and leads.
"We encourage the public to maintain vigilance and personal safety measures," he said.
If you have any information to assist, please contact the Orange County Sheriff's Department at 714-647-7000 or OC Crime Stoppers at 1-855-TIP-OCCS or occrimestoppers.org.
Read also: Woman Fights Off Attacker On Aliso Creek Trail, Cops Say
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