OCEAN BEACH (CNS/CBS 8) - A woman was groped in her Ocean Beach home and a suspect was later found by police in the victim's backyard, a San Diego police sergeant said.
The assault at 2196 Abbott St. was reported to police at 5:43 a.m., said Sgt. Dan Lasher.
The unidentified victim was sleeping on her couch when she awoke to find a man groping her, Lasher said. The woman pushed the man away, ran to the bathroom, locked herself inside and called police.
The man was discovered in the backyard of the victim's residence by police, Lasher said. He was identified by the woman and was booked for suspicion of sexual assault, but his name was not released.
News of the incident spread quickly throughout Ocean Beach, where several sex crimes have been occurring within recent months.
News 8 has learned that back in August just down the street from Sunday's attack a woman was assaulted as she walked home from a party.
Two weeks ago, another woman reported being hit and grabbed in broad daylight while running down Ocean Front Ave.
This string of sex crimes is the reason behind the formation of a group called Ocean Beach Citizens Patrol.
Their goal is to help police and educate women by holding meetings, walking the streets and posting flyers.