Blackbelt Student Fights Back In On-Campus Attack, 1 Arrested

ORANGE, CA — An Anaheim man was placed under arrest on suspicion of attacking an 18-year-old student at Chapman University Friday, Orange Police reported Tuesday.

The suspect, identified as Jerome Bell Dalante, 22, was brought to the university by a family, where he surrendered to officials. He has been booked on suspicion of assault with intent to commit rape.

"The suspect is not a student and has no connection with Chapman University," an Orange Police Department spokesperson said.

The victim was attacked and sexually assaulted on the campus of Chapman University Friday, officials report. She drew upon her karate blackbelt to fight back against her assailant and free herself. Orange Police have released a video of a man suspected in the attack and have increased their presence on campus in response to the assault.

Her attacker was wearing a Halloween-style skeleton mask, reminiscent of "Scream," the unidentified woman told the media.

It was well after midnight Friday when she FaceTimed her boyfriend outside Henley Hall. During the call, a suspect attacked her from behind, according to media reports.

" At the time of the assault, the suspect was described as wearing black clothing and a skeleton style mask or (neck) gator," Orange Police Det. Costa reported over Facebook. "The suspect was last seen walking south on Glassell Street. Surveillance video shows the suspect after he removed his face covering and sweatshirt."

The victim was punched in the face and flung into a trash can, she says, as the attack ensued. What her attacker didn't expect was that his victim would fight back.

She told reporters that she drew upon 12 years of karate classes and her blackbelt to fend him off, even as two classmates scrambled to her aid in answer to hearing her shouts for help.

The two freshman men rushed to help, leaping out their Henley Hall dorm window, media reports say.

"We heard screaming," one student told reporters. "You knew something was wrong."

The attack was atypical for the Chapman University campus, according to a spokesperson from the public safety team.

Orange Police Chief Dan Adams spoke on the attack and the arrest of Bell.

"We will not tolerate this type of heinous criminal activity in Orange," Adams said. "We hope the students and staff of Chapman University and residents of Orange can regain a sense of safety knowing this suspect has been arrested and we are confident he will be held to answer on the charges."

Anyone with additional information about this case or other potential victims are asked to contact Orange Police Detective Costa at 714-744-7521 or scosta@orangepd.org.

If anyone has information, please contact Det. Costa at 714-744-7521.