RIVERSIDE – The suspect involved two recent attempted sexual assaults and armed robberies was located and arrested on Friday morning. Two women, during a one-week period, were the victims of an attempted sexual assault and armed robbery in the City of Riverside.
The first incident was on Friday, December 23, 2016, at around 1:16 a.m. The victim told authorities that she was fueling her vehicle at the gas station on University Avenue near the I-215. When she left she said that a vehicle followed her. She got onto the I-215 South and exited on Central Avenue. She slowed for the light, and the suspect vehicle hit her from behind so she could pull to the side of the off-ramp. The suspect, armed with a knife, got out of his vehicle and attempted to sexually assault the victim. He stole her property, got back into his vehicle and drove onto the southbound I-215.
On Thursday, December 29, 2016, at around 4:12 a.m. Riverside Police responded to the 1300 block of Blaine Street for another sexual assault and armed robbery. The victim was driving on the I-215 when her vehicle was intentionally struck from behind between University Avenue and Blaine Street. She pulled her vehicle over before the Blaine Street exit. The suspect got out of his vehicle with a knife, attempted to sexually assault the victim, stole property and left the scene in his vehicle. The victim ran to a nearby business and called the police.
Both victims described the suspect as a Hispanic man that is 30-30-years-old, 5’7”-5’8” with a thin build. He was described as having ungroomed facial hair and was wearing a dark-colored hooded sweatshirt. His vehicle was described as an older model, box-style, dark green smaller SUV. They also said that the passenger rear window was broken and appeared to be covered with cardboard.
Information provided by a concerned citizen led police to identify the suspect, Joseph Macias. At around 2:00 a.m. on Friday, December 30, 2016, a search warrant was served in the 4400 block of Winslow Court. The suspect was located along with the vehicle. Macias was booked into the Robert Presley Detention Center for numerous felony charges.
and was later booked into the Robert Presley Detention Center for numerous felony charges.
If anyone has information regarding these cases or may have been a victim, contact Detective Beler at (951) 353-7125.
