Gwinnett Woman Attacked After Giving Ride To Stranger

DULUTH, GA — A Gwinnett County woman was attacked at knifepoint after giving a stranger a ride in the early morning hours, according to police.

The Gwinnett County Police Department is asking for the public's help in finding Raul Arruevalle, 39, whom they believe was the attacker. There is an active warrant for his arrest on a charge of aggravated assault.

On Sunday, June 18, a woman was approached at about 4:30 a.m. by a man at the QuikTrip convenience store at 2185 Beaver Ruin Rd. near Norcross.

The man told her he was from out of town and asked for a ride to a home in Duluth, police said. The victim agreed.

Police say the man gave her several different directions while she was driving. At the intersection of Green Street and Eagle Terrace near Duluth, the man reached over and turned off the ignition to her car.

He pulled out a knife and lunged at her. The woman screamed for help and the man got out of her car and ran away, police said. The woman received a small cut on her hand.

Luckily for investigators, the attacker dropped his cellphone on the passenger seat before he ran away. The case was assigned to a detective, who identified Arruevalle as the suspect.

The woman told police she didn't know the man's intentions, but believes he may have wanted to take her down a dark street and rape her.

"Thankfully, the victim was not seriously injured in this crime, but, it is imperative that Arruevalle is arrested quickly before he tries to hurt someone else," police spokeswoman Michele Pihera said. "Giving courtesy rides to complete strangers could have serious consequences."

Raul Arruevalle also goes by "Raul Valle" and "Raul Arrue Valle," according to police. He has black hair and brown eyes, stands 5'3" and weighs about 160 pounds. He has slight facial hair and a prominent scar on his left cheek.

Photo courtesy Gwinnett County Police Department