Good Samaritans Thwart Arlington Man's Sexual Assault Attempt: Police

ARLINGTON, VA — A 28-year-old Arlington man was arrested in connection to an attempted sexual assault in the Clarendon area early Sunday, according to authorities.

Garcia Moran is being held without bond at the Arlington County Detention Facility on charges of attempted rape, abduction with intent to defile, and assault and battery.

Officers were dispatched around 5:45 a.m. to the 2700 block of Wilson Boulevard for a report of an assault. According to the preliminary investigation, the female victim was waiting for a rideshare when the suspect approached and began speaking to her.

The victim walked away, and the suspect followed her onto North Danville Street, according to police. Investigators said he made sexually explicit comments before grabbing the victim, pushing her into a wall and physically assaulting her. Police reported the victim was able to get away, but the suspect again approached and assaulted her.

The victim then yelled for help, and two good Samaritans came to her assistance and contacted police, according to ACPD. The suspect ran away, but officers quickly located him near North Edgewood Street and North Franklin Road and took him into custody.

Moran was arraigned Monday morning in Arlington General District Court and a preliminary hearing was scheduled or 11:30 a.m. on June 2, according to court documents.

The most serious charge Moran faces is abduction with intent to defile, which is a Class 2 felony. If convicted of this charge, he faces a possible sentence of up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $100,000, under the Code of Virginia.

The case is being handled by the department's Special Victims Unit, which announced the arrest.

Police ask anyone with additional information related to the investigation, or anyone who has had past inappropriate encounters with the suspect, to contact Detective C. Oesterling at 703-228-4241 or coesterling@arlingtonva.us. Information can also be submitted anonymously through the Arlington County Crime Solvers hotline at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477).