KSBY

Posted: Jul 29, 2010 4:55 PM
Updated: Jul 29, 2010 5:07 PM

A homeless man is behind bars after attempting to rape a woman in Santa Maria Wednesday night.

The attack happened around eight o'clock at the southbound ramp of the 101 off Main Street.

Police say James Garner Allen hit the victim and forcefully attempted to remove her clothing. She had been walking to a restaurant from her motel nearby to get food for a younger member of her family when the 55-year-old man approached her.

The Santa Barbara transient first said something vulgar and then immediately attacked her. She fought his grasp and then ran for help.

Police arrested Allen after a witness called 911 on her behalf.

Passers-by say they've often seen him on that street asking for money.

"He didn't seem like that scary of a guy," said Ana Mulcock, a Santa Maria resident. "He seemed...kind of like the others that you kind of see around holding signs saying they need help."

Allen was booked in jail for attempted rape and kidnapping charges.

A rape counselor says every situation is different and there isn't a right or wrong answer for what a woman should do.

"Do whatever you feel like you need to do in order to get out of the situation," said Alison Wales, a rape counselor. "If that is where you need to fight back as hard as you can and do whatever you need to do, then do it."

She says getting to safety as soon as possible should be the number-one goal and that women should always trust their gut reaction.