A woman was grabbed from behind on a Virginia walking trail and fought her way free, prompting the arrest of an illegal immigrant.
The Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office has charged Rolando Sanchez Velasquez, 34, with abduction, assault, and battery. He is being held without bond in the Loudoun County Adult Detention Center.
The attack occurred around 8:30 p.m. on July 15 on a trail near Algonkian Parkway and Lowes Island Boulevard in Sterling.
The woman’s husband earlier told 7News that she saw a man near a forested area just before he approached her from behind and grabbed her neck.
He claimed his wife, a former college athlete, fought back as the man pulled her by her ponytail. She eventually escaped, running across Algonkian Parkway to seek assistance at a local drugstore.
The sheriff’s office initially described the attacker as a Hispanic man in his twenties with a broad build wearing a hooded sweatshirt. The woman’s husband stated that the male was also wearing sandals.
Sanchez Velasquez was later identified as the offender and arrested, officials said.
According to the sheriff’s office, Sanchez Velasquez was also served with outstanding child maltreatment warrants. Authorities identified him as an undocumented noncitizen and claimed that an immigration detainer was on file.
The case is still being investigated.
Anyone with additional information is encouraged to contact the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office at 703-777-1021. Anonymous tips can be reported to Loudoun County Crime Solvers at 703-777-1919.
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