By Robert Lewis
rlewis@sacbee.com
A woman managed to escape a would-be rapist after being forced into a car at gunpoint on a main Woodland street at around 10:30 a.m. Saturday, according to the Woodland Police Department.
Police gave this account of events:
The woman was walking south on West Street near Buckeye Street when a newer, black sport utility vehicle approached and the driver asked for directions. When the woman stopped to talk to the driver through the passenger window, he pulled a handgun and ordered her into the SUV.
She got in and the man drove to rural Yolo County, ordering her to undress on the way. After several minutes he pulled into a grove of trees near Interstate 5 and County Road 98.
As man got out and walked around to the passenger side, the woman attempted to call for help on her cell phone.
He opened the door and tried to pull the woman's pants off while she struggled. The victim managed to break free and ran to I-5 where she waved down a passer-by who took her to safety and called police.
The suspect is believed to be a Hispanic male in his late 20s or early 30s, about 5 feet 4 inches to 5 feeti 6 inches tall and weighing about 160 to 180 pounds, with short black hair and a thin mustache. He has two silver caps on his front teeth, according to police.
He fled north on County Road 18 in his black SUV.
The attack comes weeks after incidents in which young school girls reported being followed home from Freeman Elementary School by suspicious men. The victim of Saturday's kidnapping was over 18 and the suspect description is different from the other cases, Sgt. Steven Sexton said.
Saturday's incident did, however, happen in the same vicinity as the other cases.
"Whether they're connected or not we don't know," Sgt. Sexton said.
Anyone with information about the incident should call the Woodland Police Department at (530) 661-7800.
Call The Bee's Robert Lewis, (916) 321-1061.
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