San Luis Obispo police have arrested a man suspected to be involved in a recent sexual assault and an attempted sexual assault.
On Friday, July 13, two young women who live at a home in the 1500 block of Osos Street reported that they awoke to find a man holding a knife in their bedroom. He reportedly threatened them and attempted to sexually assault them, but they were able to fight back and the man ran off.
Police say evidence recovered from the crime scene helped them identify the suspect as Arthur Rocha, 40, of San Luis Obispo.
They believe Rocha may also be related to an incident that occurred on Sunday, July 8 at a home on Los Palos Drive. The young woman who lives there told police she woke up to find a man in her bedroom. He reportedly threatened her with a sharp object, then sexually assaulted her before running away.
Rocha was arrested at his home on Aug. 1 and booked into San Luis Obispo County Jail on charges of assault with a deadly weapon, burglary, criminal threats, and assault with the intent to commit rape. His bail is set at $1 million.
Previous coverage:
Two break-ins, attacks in one week leave San Luis Obispo residents on edge
