A California man thwarted a rape attempt earlier this week when he spotted a woman being strangled in a truck, according to reports.
Taylor O'Neill was driving to work in Santa Ana, California, when a white truck blocked his way, police said on Wednesday.
O'Neill honked a few times, but the truck didn’t move. After he got out of his car and started walking towards the truck, he heard muffled screams from inside.
The screams were coming from a 28-year-old woman who has not been named.
But only moments after she got in the truck, De Armas told her he wanted to have sex. She refused.
De Armas drove her to an alley on the East Palm Street, where he started to strangle her and put duct tape on her mouth.
That was when O'Neill had approached the truck and saw what was happening.
The woman managed to unlock the door, got out of the truck, and ran away.
De Armas also decided to flee the scene, but before he could disappear into the distance or turn a corner, O’Neill managed to snap a picture of his truck.
Santa Ana Police detectives arrested De Armas at his workplace “after evidence at the crime scene led police to his identity,” the department stated.
Santa Ana Police Detectives believe there may be additional victims and ask anyone with information contact Detective E. Majors at 714-245-8378, [email protected] or Orange County Crime Stoppers at 1-855-TIP-OCCS.