Port Hueneme man held on attempted rape charge
Camarillo woman says handyman tried to attack her in her home
By Daniel Wolowicz camarillo@theacorn.com

Alberto Velasco

On Tuesday, police arrested a Port Hueneme man suspected of breaking into a Camarillo home last week in an attempt to rape a 34year-old woman at knifepoint.

The arrest of Alberto Velasco, 33, at a truck stop café on the 1100 block of Mountain View Avenue just outside of Oxnard ended a weeklong manhunt for the suspected attacker. According to police, the woman, who lives on the 3400 block of E. Landen Street, said she woke up around 11 p.m. Tues., Nov. 21 to find Velasco standing over her bed, holding a knife. Velasco then allegedly tried to move the woman from one room to another in an attempt to sexually assault her.

The woman was able to escape the home uninjured and began yelling for help. The assailant, scared by the woman's screams, ran off, police said.

Authorities said there were other people in the woman's home, but no one was injured.

The woman had hired Velasco in mid October to work as a handyman and help her with some interior remodeling, police said.

Investigators said they were concerned that Velasco would have attempted a similar attack at other homes where he has worked as a handyman.

Velasco faces multiple charges, including assault with a deadly weapon, home burglary and attempted sexual assault. He is being held at the Main Jail in Ventura in lieu of $225,000 bail.

Police said Velasco's arrest was due in large part to tips detectives received from both the public and the victim in the attack.

"He's a predator," said Senior Dep. Julie Novak. "They (detectives) are looking now, backtracking into similar crimes, but they're looking for any victims to come forward, if there are any."

Authorities are asking anyone with information about Velasco to call detectives at (805) 477-7000.

Novak said homeowners should remember to ask for references and confirm that the person has a valid contractor's license when hiring a handyman or contractor to work in or around their home.

It's also important for homeowners not to give a contractor or repairman open access to the home, Novak said.

Police remind residents to lock their doors and windows at night and not to leave a spare key in an obvious hiding place, such as beneath the front door mat.