A 16-year-old girl in Salinas, California, escaped a sexual assault attack while walking to Alisal High School on Saturday morning. The Salinas Police Department reported that a man approached the student from behind and sexually assaulted her.
The victim fought back against her attacker and was able to flee. Following the incident, police identified and arrested a suspect, 30-year-old Jose Ramirez Zurita, with the assistance of surveillance video and witness accounts. Authorities utilized a Ramey warrant, a pre-charge arrest warrant issued by a judge, for his apprehension.
Salinas is located in Monterey County, south of the San Francisco Bay Area. The attack is considered random, as Zurita reportedly has no known connection to the victim. The teen's identity has not been released.
Authorities are seeking information from the public regarding any potential similar encounters with Zurita. Anyone with relevant information is encouraged to contact Detective Dorantes at 831-758-7148.
In a statement, Salinas police advised the community to "stay vigilant, be aware of your surroundings, and talk to your kids and young adults about how to remain safe."