Man, 18, Charged With Attempted Murder In OC Jogger Stabbing
WESTMINSTER (CBSLA.com) — An 18-year-old man who allegedly stabbed a woman jogger in Orange County last week was charged Monday with attempted murder, among other felonies.
James Rivas, who was arrested Thursday at his Rossmoor home, faces one count each of attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon, mayhem and attempted second-degree robbery, with sentence-enhancing allegations of attempted premeditated murder and inflicting great bodily harm, according to court records.
A judge also doubled Rivas' bail from $500,000 to $1 million at the suspect's first court appearance in Westminster.
The attack happened Oct. 23 just after 9 p.m. in the 3200 block of Bostonian Drive.
Rivas is accused of randomly grabbing a 27-year-old jogger from behind and stabbing her three times in the face, hand, and neck.
"She was able to fight him off originally and actually knocked the knife out of his hand," said Deputy District Attorney, Brett Brian. "(But) he picked it up and continued the assault."
A neighbor heard the woman's screams and ran to help her as the assailant fled on a black BMX bike.
"A knife was recovered nearby and was taken as evidence," officials said.
Police were led to Rivas because he fit the description given by the victim, and witnesses said he was known to ride a BMX bike and carry knives, according to Gail Krause of the Orange County Sheriff's Department.
It's still unknown what sparked the assault.
"Any case you have a random attack with no clear motive, it's a little odd. It's hard to say why he did it," said Brian.
Brian said alcohol was involved in the incident.
Rivas will be arraigned on Nov. 5.
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