San Diego Police are warning North County residents to watch out for a home invasion robber who sexually assaulted a woman.
It happened Wednesday around noon at a home in the 3700 block of Carmel View Road in Carmel Valley.
The victim was inside her garage when a man, armed with a knife walked in and forced her into her home, investigators said.
"He took her into the bathroom, tied her up and sexually assaulted her," said Det. Gary Hassen.
After a few minutes the suspect took the victim's wallet and left, police said. The victim was able to free herself and get help. Police say she suffered a knife cut to her hand, but the injury was not serious.
"She has a husband a two little kids," said a shocked neighbor who did not want to give her name.
A suspect matching the same description committed a similar crime on February 10 in a neighborhood near the most recent case, investigators said. In both cases, detectives said the victims were Asian women.
Extra police officers are patrolling in Carmel Valley as officers search for the suspect. He is described as a light or tan skinned male about 30 to 40 years old. He's about 5 feet 8 inches and was last seen wearing a baseball cap, sunglasses, dark clothing and gloves.
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Officers are warning residents to be extra vigilant, especially when their garage door is open.
"It's very scary, you can't even breathe, you would like to go for a walk but it's not safe," one neighbor who didn't want to be identified said. "Even when I go to my mailbox, I always lock my doors and my car, I'm very careful but you just never know."
