Rape Suspect Arrested In Temecula

TEMECULA, CA — A Temecula man suspected of raping people in multiple states is behind bars Friday and facing felony charges, according to the Riverside County Sheriff's Department jail records.

Joseph Edward Labastida, 30, of Temecula, was arrested on suspicion of a Temecula rape Wednesday and was being held at the Southwest Detention Center on a fugitive warrant, according to jail records. No bail has been set, according to Sgt. Joe Narciso. Labastida was scheduled to answer felony charges of rape and being a fugitive from justice at the Southwest Justice Center Friday morning.

The arrest stems from an attack on the night of May 20 when Riverside County Sheriff's Department deputies responded to a report of sexual assault in the 44000 block of Pechanga Parkway. The suspect, later identified by detectives as Labastida, fled the scene.

This week, after a detailed investigation deputies found Labastida near Temecula Parkway and La Paz, according to investigators. He was arrested near Jedediah Smith Road and La Paz Road a short time later, according to the sheriff's department on suspicion of felony rape.

After multiple multiple interviews, deputies also learned that Labastida was wanted on suspicion of sexual assault in Mojave County, Arizona.

The Southwest Station Investigations Bureau is asking anyone with additional information on this case to contact Investigator Gouvion at (951) 696-3000.