Bakersfield police arrested a man who was accused of sexually assaulting a woman on New Stine Road and on Kirksdale Drive.
At about 1:30 a.m. Sunday, Bakersfield police were sent to a home in the 1100 block of New Stine Road regarding a report of a burglary and sexual assault.
The victim, an adult female, told police that she woke to find a suspect in her bedroom.
The suspect began to sexually assault the victim but fled when she screamed. The suspect was described only as a male subject.
Investigation revealed that the suspect entered and fled the residence through an unlocked window. The victim was not injured.
Later, at about 8 a.m., Bakersfield police were sent to a home in the 5700 block of Kirkside Drive regarding a report of burglary and sexual assault. The Investigation revealed a suspect entered the residence by breaking a locked window and sexually assaulting the victim, an adult female. The suspect also stole the victim's vehicle. The victim sustained moderate injuries.
The suspect was described as a Hispanic man, 5 feet 2 inches tall, weighing 150 pounds with a slim build.
At approximately 11:45 am, Bakersfield Police were notified the stolen vehicle was located in Santa Maria, CA. after it had been involved in a single vehicle accident.
The driver, identified as 29-year-old Abel Palafox Lopez, was taken into custody and transported back to Bakersfield. Lopez was interviewed and subsequently booked into the Kern County Jail on sexual assault related charges.
Detectives are still trying to confirm if both incidents are related and the investigation is ongoing.
Anyone with information regarding this investigation is asked to call Detective Rex Davenport at (661)326-3559 or the Bakersfield Police Department at (661) 327-7111.
