Police: Newark Man Plotted Kidnap, Rape Of Multiple Women
WALNUT CREEK (CBS SF) -- Police in Walnut Creek on Wednesday announced the arrest of a suspect in a frightening attempted kidnapping with intent to rape case who had plans for additional attacks, according to authorities.
In details outlined by authorities, police said that it appeared that the suspect not only was scheming to kidnap at least two female victims to rape them, but that the suspect was stalking the women and had written notes and graphic fantasies about them.
Police said the investigation began on the morning of March 26 when officers responded to a 911 call from a female victim who said she was assaulted on the 2000 block of Camelback Lane in Walnut Creek. The victim said the suspect attacked her at about 7:20 a.m. as she was walking from her home to her car.
The male suspect approached the victim and attacked her with a stun gun, but the woman was able to fend off the assailant. The victim said the suspect was wearing a wig. During the attack, the suspect's stun gun failed to operate.
When the victim ran, the suspect tripped and fell as he tried to chase her before he fled the scene in a recent model silver Volkswagen sedan.
That afternoon in Fremont, a maintenance man in Fremont found a suspicious-looking box at an apartment complex on the 400 block of Rancho Arroyo Park. Police searched the box and found a sex toy, bondage straps, a stun gun and a wig.
Fremont officers also recovered plans for in the kidnapping and rape of multiple women, including written graphic fantasies about the planned victims. One note read that one of the victims "…very likely lives alone. She might be able to squeeze in the tactical bag."
The investigation identified the suspect as 37-year-old Newark resident Matt Owen Caruso.
The following morning, officers with the Walnut Creek and Newark police departments located and arrested Caruso at his residence. A subsequent search of his home uncovered multiple firearms and child pornography.
Caruso was booked Contra Costa County Jail. On March 29, the Contra Costa County District Attorney's Office filed felony charges against the suspect including Attempted Kidnapping with the Intent to Rape, Assault with the Intent to Rape and Possession of Child Pornography.
Caruso is currently being held on $1,110,000 bail.
Police say they're still investigating the case, and asked members of the public for additional information. Anyone with additional information is asked to call Detective Leonard or Detective Ezard at (925) 943-5844.
In a press release, Walnut Creek police offered thanks to both Fremont and Newark Police Departments for the assistance that helped officers quickly bring Caruso into custody before he could harm anyone else.
