Man In Custody After Allegedly Raping Woman While Armed With Machete In Boyle Heights
BOYLE HEIGHTS (CBSLA.com) — Police confirm Wednesday a man suspected of raping a woman while armed with a machete has been taken into custody.
Manuel Munoz was charged Wednesday with one count of forcible rape, forcible oral copulation, sexual penetration by foreign object and first-degree residential burglary. He is suspected of breaking into a woman's Boyle Heights living room window in the 1800 block of Pennsylvania Avenue around 12:30 a.m. on May 15.
The victim, who was in her 30s, was in her bedroom when the identified man entered wearing only his underwear.
Police say the woman woke up after hearing a noise in her room and observed the suspect standing at the foot of her bed.
Munoz then allegedly raped her and threatened her with a machete during the attack before dressing and leaving the residence.
The LAPD released a sketch of the suspect following the incident.
"This is anyone's worst nightmare. It caused the public alarm and police because of someone being so brazen with the belief that they can go inside any home," Officer Jack Richter said.
Richter credits the new foot patrol program put into place by LAPD Capt. Martin Baeza, which allowed officers to speak with people face-to-face in order to find the suspect.
