Police in Santa Ana, California, arrested a convicted sex offender who is accused of attacking three females and attempting to abduct a child on the same day.
Moises Hernandez, 30, faces felony counts of sexual penetration by force, indecent exposure, committing lewd acts on a child, battery and resisting arrest.
The attacks occurred on Tuesday, June 4, according to the Orange County District Attorney’s Office.
In one incident, police said the suspect was riding a bicycle when he approached a woman who was walking through the parking lot of Northgate Market in the 1100 block of South Bristol Street.
“He sexually assaulted her and attempted to pull her daughter away before fleeing,” the Santa Ana Police Department shared in a social media post.
The victim, who did not want her identity revealed, told KTLA 5 Orange County Bureau Chief Chip Yost that her attacker touched her “backside” and grabbed her daughter by the neck.
Officers broadcasted a description of the suspect to other units, and Hernandez was arrested a short time later. At that point, they determined Hernandez was a convicted sex offender who had victimized two teenage girls earlier in the day, authorities said.
“In that incident, [the] two females were near a high school the same suspect had exposed his genitals and then grabbed one of the victims,” said Officer Natalie Garcia.
Hernandez’s criminal history involves prior convictions for indecent exposure, sexual battery and robbery.
“This incident highlights the outstanding efforts of our officers in partnership with our community to help make an arrest,” said police.
