Anaheim Sexual Assault Suspect Linked to Santa Ana Mall Attack

Police arrested a man they believe attacked a woman while she was in her car in a mall parking structure

Police believe a man arrested Friday in connection with a sexual assault and robbery in Anaheim is linked to a similar attack at a Santa Ana mall Wednesday that left a 19-year-old woman injured.

Anaheim police responded to the incident about 6:30 a.m. after reports of an attack outside the Sa-Rang church near La Palma Avenue and Brookhurst Street.

A woman told police she was walking to her car from the church when someone pushed her into a vehicle, demanded money and sexually assaulted her, officials said.

Authorities said the woman was able to get away from her attacker and run to a nearby Chevron gas station and call police.

Police arrested the man after a short pursuit ended when he crashed the car, police said. He had taken the woman's car, police said.

Three other people inside the vehicle at the time of the crash remained in the vehicle. It was unclear whether they were arrested.

Santa Ana police -- who were in the Anaheim area searching for a suspect in the sexual assault and robbery of a woman at a Santa Ana mall on Wednesday -- helped Anaheim authorities in the arrest.

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