Woman Fights Off Attacker With Pocketknife Near CVS Store In OC

WESTMINSTER, CA — A Long Beach man was arrested after punching a woman repeatedly and attempting to sexually assault her near a CVS Pharmacy in Westminster, the Westminster Police Department said.

41-year-old Ernesto Nuno was arrested on Saturday without incident and faces an attempted rape charge and an assault with intent to commit rape charge, authorities said.

According to a report released by the Westminster Police Department, officers were dispatched to the 15400 block of Brookhurst Street, near the rear alley of a CVS Pharmacy, in response to an attempted sexual assault.

The female victim told officers that she was seated in the alley when she was approached by Ernesto Nuno, who she said "exposed his genitals" to her and asked her to orally copulate him.

When she refused, Nuno began punching her in the face and head and attempted to remove her pants while using his body weight to hold her down, the victim told police.

During the attack, the unidentified woman said she was able to reach her pocketknife and ultimately stabbed Nuno, stopping the assault.

Officers located Nuno nearby with an injury to his right hand consistent with being stabbed. He was booked into the Orange County Jail after the victim positively identified him.

The investigation is ongoing, and WPD detectives urge anyone with additional information to contact the Westminster Police Department at 714-548-3783 or Orange County Crime Stoppers at 1-855-TIP-OCCS or by logging on to www.occrimestoppers.org.

No further information was immediately available.