Aurora Sex Assault Victim: 'I Want To Be The Catalyst Of Bravery'
AURORA, Colo. (CBS4) - Police in Aurora have arrested a Mexican man whom they say sexually assaulted one woman and tried to force his way into the home of another.
Ricardo Corral-Venegas, 25, was arrested on Thursday under suspicion of sexual assault, kidnapping, burglary and attempted burglary.
Police say Corral-Venegas initiated both attacked at the Santana Ridge Apartments on the 1300 block of South Geneva Way. On Oct. 4, a woman reported to police a man had entered her apartment, demanded money from her and raped her at knifepoint. Her 14-month old son was home at the time of the assault.
On Thursday, Aurora police say another woman reported that a man she did not know knocked on her door and tried to push his way inside her home. She was able to fight him off and he fled to a nearby restaurant -- Buffalo Wild Wings, near Havana Street -- where police say they identified the suspect as Corral-Venegas. He was taken into custody. Police believe he is responsible for both incidents.
The woman who says she was assaulted by Corral-Venegas on Oct. 4 spoke with CBS4's Lauren DiSpirito, asking not to be identified by name but saying she wanted to speak on camera to encourage other victims of sexual assault to report crimes committed against them.
"I want to be the catalyst of bravery for other people," she said, "I want other people to see and say, 'I can do that.'
"I'm just a normal person, you know, I'm not any different than anybody else, I just happen to be a victim of circumstance, and a victim of a criminal."
After the attack, the 26-year-old woman says Corral-Venegas threatened to kill her and her child if she told police. Despite fearing she may not be believed, or that nothing would come of her report, she came forward to police.
"I have to be brave if no one else is going to be. I have to be the person that's going to come forward and say, 'This has to stop and it can't happen again.'"
Now, with Corral-Venegas' arrest, she is hopeful there will be justice in her case.
"I'm elated that they caught him before he could hurt anyone else," she said.
According to court documents, Corral-Venegas came to Colorado from Mexico, where he worked as a police officer. At least two Mexican newspapers report Corral-Venegas was known as "the motorcycle rapist," suspected of barging into homes, raping women and fleeing on a black and red motorcycle.
Corral-Venegas initially denied the Mexican news reports and told police he arrived in Colorado three months ago, the documents state. Police say they found a Mexican Consular identification card on him, but beyond that, were unable to verify his identity and address.
Aurora police believe there could be more victims of assault by Corral-Venegas. They encourage anyone with information to contact them. He is being held at the Arapahoe County Jail.
Lauren DiSpirito reports for CBS4 News at 10 p.m. She covers breaking news and feature stories along Colorado's Front Range. Follow her on Twitter @CBS4Lauren. Share your story ideas with her here.
