Assault on teen alarms tenants

Residents in a Costa Mesa apartment complex were alarmed Friday when authorities announced they were looking for a man who had forced his way into one of their neighbor’s homes and sexually assaulted them.

“I’m not surprised. It’s supposed to be a college atmosphere, but lately, it hasn’t really felt that way,” said Christina Chavez, 20, who lives in the Camden Martinique apartment complex where the assault happened. “At night, I don’t even like to walk to the garage alone.”

At about 10:10 p.m. Thursday, police say a man knocked on the door of a 19-year-old woman’s apartment in the 2800 block of Pinecreek Drive. She was alone and opened the door, police said. The man, whom police describe as a Latino in his late 20s, 5-foot-9, 170 pounds with buzzed black hair and no facial hair, wearing a white tank top and black pants, forced his way into her apartment. The woman struggled and the man slapped her several times before sexually assaulting her and running away, police said.

Police urge everyone to be aware of their surroundings at all times, to lock doors and windows at night and to have a person at their door identify themselves before opening it.

For some neighbors, news of the crime was a surprise. For others like Chavez, living in the sprawling apartment complex across from OCC where the suspect attacked, the assault only reaffirmed opinions that it’s not safe to live there.

Chavez has lived in the apartments for four months and is moving out, partially she said because of the crime. Her home was burglarized soon after moving in.

Many there are aware there’s crime — the area regularly has vehicles burglarized — but don’t worry too much about it.

“I feel pretty safe. It makes sense because we’re across from a college,” said Scott Wolf, who rents an apartment in the complex. “I see cop cars patrol the area all the time, and have seen the fliers up talking about crime.”

One group of men said it all depends on whom you hang out with in the area. Residents said they don’t generally see individuals lingering around at night. If anyone is out at night, it’s in the pool area partying, many said.

“It’s just a normal college atmosphere,” said Peter Nedeau, who rents an apartment with friends.

Melissa Halmich, who lives across the street in the Pinecreek Village Apartments, spoke of the complex’s reputation for crime.

“It’s not the safest area,” she said. “I see police going in there a lot of times.”

Anyone with information about the attack is urged to call Det. Mike Cohen at (714) 754-5178.

JOSEPH SERNA may be reached at (714) 966-4619 or at [email protected].