Full Notification

Monday night at approximately 8:30 P.M., plain-clothed Santa Barbara Police Officers apprehended 29-year old Angel Anthony Richard Sanchez on suspicion of attempted sexual assault and kidnapping. 
 
Twenty hours earlier, at approximately 11:30 P.M. Sunday, a female resident of Santa Barbara was walking in the 3700 block of State Street.  She was approached from behind by a man riding a bicycle, who blocked her path and engaged her in a brief one-sided conversation.  After leading her to believe he had a weapon, the suspect grabbed the cell phone out of her hand and threw it far out of reach.  The attacker then pushed her to the ground, threatened her with physical harm, and dragged her into a dimly lit corner of a nearby parking lot where he attempted to sexually assault her.
 
The attack was interrupted by a Good Samaritan who heard her screams for help and drove his vehicle towards the sound.  Once in the parking lot, the headlights of his vehicle illuminated the scene.   The suspect became startled and fled into the night on his bicycle while the rescuer quickly called 911 for help.
 
Police arrived to find the woman badly shaken, but able to give a good description of her attacker.
 
On Monday night, SBPD Officers spotted Sanchez, who matched the suspect description, just steps away from where the original assault took place.  When the officers identified themselves, Sanchez fled on foot. The officers quickly caught up with him and after a protracted struggle, brought him into custody. During the fight, Sanchez attempt to grab a large concealed knife from his waistband.
 
Sanchez is currently in the Santa Barbara County Jail, awaiting felony arraignment for charges stemming from the assault and subsequent arrest.  Charges include kidnapping to commit a sexual assault, assault to commit rape, false imprisonment, concealing a weapon on his person, and resisting officers.
 
Police request anyone with additional information about Sanchez and his activities is encouraged to call Santa Barbara Police Detective Douglas Klug at (805) 897-2346 or [email protected].