Woman fights off alleged rapist, helps police arrest him

A woman’s worst nightmare almost came true. What saved her are her courage and a good neighbor.

Calexico police said 26-year-old Jesus Navarro is behind bars for allegedly trying to rape a woman.

Det. Armando Orozco said, “The victim, obviously, in the state she was in – she was emotionally distressed – and that is what the neighbor saw. She was upstairs yelling for help.”

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It happened Friday afternoon, in broad daylight, at an apartment complex on Paulin Avenue.

“The victim was going to do laundry in the laundry room to her apartments,” Orozco said.

Police said Navarro was hiding there.

“He locked himself in the room with the victim, and attempted to sexually assault her,” Orozco said.

The woman fought back and screamed loudly. She was able to unlock the door and escape. Navarro fled the scene.

“He left through the alleyway, behind the apartments. And he went down Rockwood Avenue southbound,” Orozco said.

Neighbors and the victim were not going to let Navarro get away. They jumped in a car, called 911 and followed him telling police his every move.

“The victim and a neighbor were following the suspect and were able to give us directions to where he was at,” Orozco said.

Within minutes, police surrounded Navarro at Rockwood and Sixth Street. They arrested him at gunpoint.

“Also noted that a sex toy was found in his pant pocket at the time of arrest,” Orozco said, adding that the object was not used during the attack.

Police applaud the actions of the neighbor who helped the woman and led them to the alleged would-be rapist.

“Be a good witness. Get a good description. Stay at a safe distance and call it in. And let us know where the last place you saw him or if you can still see him,” Orozco said.

Navarro is being charged with burglary and attempted rape.