Passerby Helps Nab Rape Suspect by Following Him From Center
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A man was arrested on suspicion of rape after a woman was attacked in a store in a Brea shopping center and a passerby chased the suspect, Brea police said Sunday.
Douglas Lee Hopper, 40, of Santa Ana was arrested after the 6 p.m. attack Saturday in the Olinda Village shopping center, said Lt. Bill Hutchinson.
The victim, a 39-year-old woman from Chino Hills, was taken to Martin Luther Hospital in Anaheim for treatment of bruises she sustained in the attack.
According to police, Hopper allegedly confronted the victim, who was alone, in a store at the shopping center at knifepoint and assaulted her.
The owner of the store was not there at the time.
The owner came in and surprised the suspect, who ran out of the store and fled in a white van. The owner then contacted a passerby, who followed the fleeing suspect.
The suspect was arrested near Carbon Canyon Park about two miles from the shopping center after police were flagged down by the passerby.
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