Santa Barbara Police Dept photo
Angel Anthony Richard Sanchez
Jury selection continued Tuesday for a Santa Barbara man accused of attempted sexual assault and kidnapping.
Angel Anthony Richard Sanchez appeared before Judge Von Deroian in Santa Barbara County Superior Court. Mr. Sanchez is charged with a number of felonies including kidnap to commit rape and assault to commit rape. He faces enhancements for prior convictions that resulted in prison terms.
The charges were filed on Sept. 5, 2018 and he pleaded not guilty on Sept. 24, 2018.
According to court records, pre-trial proceedings began June 28.
Around 11:30 p.m. on Sept. 2, 2018, a woman was walking in the 3700 block of State Street when she was approached from behind by a man riding a bicycle. The man, believed to be Mr. Sanchez, stopped the woman, threw her cellphone and pushed her to the ground as he threatened her and “dragged her into a dimly lit corner of a nearby parking lot where he attempted to sexually assault her,” Anthony Wagner, spokesman for the Santa Barbara Police Department, said in a news release.
A good Samaritan heard the woman scream for help and drove his vehicle in that direction. The assailant fled on his bicycle while the rescuer called 9-1-1, police officials said.
Police found Mr. Sanchez on the evening of Sept. 3, 2018 in the area where the assault took place. When officers identified themselves Mr. Sanchez fled on foot. Following a brief struggle, during which time Mr. Sanchez attempted to grab a concealed knife from the officer’s waistband, he was taken into custody, Mr. Wagner said.
Mr. Sanchez is represented by Deputy Public Defender Mark Owens. Deputy District Attorneys Jennifer Karapetian and Lauren Franco are prosecuting the case.
