Ceres Woman Uses Piece Of Broken Glass To Fight Off Attacker Inside Her Home
CERES (CBS13) - A Stockton man is behind bars for allegedly forcing his way into a woman's home and attacking her just hours after being released from jail where he was serving time for various crimes, including false imprisonment and kidnapping for robbery or sex crime.
The victim was at home just after 9 a.m. Tuesday when she heard the sound of breaking glass and saw Aaron Modisett-Hollie, 18, trying to climb in through her window, according to a statement by Ceres police. The woman, described as 5 feet 3 inches tall and weighing around 120 pounds, tried to keep the much-larger Modisett-Hollie out, but he was able to force his way in.
Fearing for her life, the woman picked up a piece of broken glass and confronted Modisett-Hollie, who allegedly bear hugged her and threw her to the ground. She fought back against him, using the glass to cut and stab him on the neck, head and torso. Modisett-Hollie then pretended to leave, but reportedly lunged again toward the woman, and when she didn't back down, instead raising the piece of glass, Modisett-Hollie turned and left.
Witnesses gave officers a description of the Modisett-Hollie and told them which way he was headed.
Modisett-Hollie reportedly jumped fences and went to a home two blocks away where he knocked on the door and asked the homeowner for a ride. When the homeowner refused, he continued running and broke a fence board in the process. The homeowner called police, who say they the call helped them catch Modisett-Hollie in a field in the 2100 block of Moffett Road.
Modisett-Hollie was treated at the scene for injuries and taken into police department custody.
He was booked Wednesday in the Stanislaus County Jail for attempted rape, assault with the attempt to commit rape, burglary, and probation violation.
Modisett-Hollie was released from Stanislaus County Jail on Monday night where he had been in custody on felony charges of kidnapping for robbery or sex crime, assault with the intent to commit felony mayhem or sex crime, and false imprisonment.
Ceres Police Chief Art de Werk issued the following statement:
"I admire the courageousness of the woman who instinctively knew she had to defend herself. At the same time, I regret the trauma she has endured. The combined actions of the victim, neighbor who promptly reported the incident, witnesses, and quick police response led to the successful apprehension of this dangerous assailant. I am also very distressed having learned that the suspect was released from jail just last night where he served time for similar charges. While there may be some facts surrounding the judicial process that I am unaware of, it makes me very angry that we had a person who was clearly a predator released back into our community. We must do more to keep criminals like this from victimizing others. Today we saw the perfect alignment of people in the community doing exactly what is right and working as a team with police to reach a successful resolution, now let's hope that the system does not fail us again. "
The victim was treated at the hospital for non-life-threatening injuries.
Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to contact Ceres Police Department (209) 538-5712. Tips can also be anonymously reported to the Stanislaus Area Crime Stoppers at Stanislaus Area Crime Stoppers at 1-866-60-CRIME. You can also text tips to "274637" with TIP704 in the wording.