Attempted Rape at Knifepoint at Grossmont College, Suspect Arrested

Originally published 6:37 p.m. Oct. 22.

A man was arrested Tuesday morning on suspicion of placing a knife to the neck of a woman on the Grossmont College campus in an attempt to kidnap and rape her, according to the San Diego County Sheriff's Department.

A Grossmont College student was getting ready to get into her car in the parking garage of the Grossmont College campus at about 11:15 a.m., when she reported being accosted from behind by a man, sheriff's Sgt. Vic Perry said. 

He placed a knife to the student's neck, pushed her into her car and told her to move over to the passenger seat. As she struggled, a passerby saw the assault and honked his horn until the man ran away, according to authorities.

Deputies assigned to patrol the college then searched the campus, found a man matching the description of the attacker nearby and took him into custody.

Washington was booked into San Diego Central Jail on suspicion of assault with intent to commit rape and false imprisonment with violence.

The sheriff's department reported that Washington confessed he was going to rape the student and do whatever he had to in order to get his way. Washington was booked into county jail for related charges. 

The victim was not injured and Washington was not a student at the college.

–City News Service contributed to this report.