In recent developments, officials have alleged that Eduardo Sarabia, a 40-year-old man, picked up two women in a white van between the hours of 9:30 p.m. and 10 p.m. on May 12th and 13th. These incidents occurred within the vicinity of the Angeles National Forest.
The first alleged victim was driven by Sarabia to an isolated location in the forest where she was reportedly raped, according to the district attorney’s office. The second alleged victim was picked up the following night and taken to the same secluded area in the forest. Sarabia is suspected of sexually assaulting her as well.
During the course of the alleged incident on May 12th, one of the women managed to escape from the van while it was located in a remote area within the San Gabriel Mountains. This prompted deputies to arrest Mr. Sarabia shortly after the incident.
It is believed by sources that Mr. Sarabia would typically pick up his victims at the El Monte train station. The white Ford van, which is alleged to have been used in these incidents, is now in the custody of the sheriff’s department.
When questioned by The Epoch Times about Mr. Sarabia’s residence, a spokeswoman for the sheriff’s department refused to confirm his place of residence on the grounds that it was against the law. A request for this information from the district attorney’s office was not returned before the deadline.
On May 13th, Mr. Sarabia was arrested by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. He remains in custody at the Twin Towers Correctional Facility in Los Angeles and is being held without bail, according to inmate records. His arraignment has been scheduled for June 27th at the Pomona Courthouse.
If convicted, Mr. Sarabia faces a potential life sentence in state prison. In a press release on Thursday, District Attorney George Gascón expressed his deep concern about the horrific and violent nature of the crimes allegedly committed by Sarabia, stating that the experiences endured by the two survivors are deeply troubling and incomprehensible.
Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department detectives continue to investigate these incidents, and they encourage any other potential victims to come forward with information.