A woman who thought she was going to a job interview was attacked by a gunman who trapped her inside a sport utility vehicle that was "set up so that the passenger could not exit," according to police.
The victim and attacker met on the networking site, Tagged.com. The site allows users to meet other users through friend suggestions, profile browsing and group interests.
The two communicated for "several weeks" before meeting in person on Sept. 28, Gardena police said.
"He befriended her for several weeks, and got her to go with him under a ruse that he was taking her to a job interview," said Gardena Police Lt. Steve Prendergast.
Corey Stewart, 40, drove the 2000 Ford Explorer to a residential neighborhood in Gardena and attacked the victim at gunpoint, police said. The woman tried to escape, but was unable to operate the vehicle's door locks and handles.
"According to the victim, the car was set up so that the passenger could not exit. The victim also described the front passenger seat as being able to recline to a fully flat position," Gardena police said in a statement.
A DNA match led authorities to the Redondo Beach man, who was arrested last week. Police are attempting to locate the Explorer.
Stewart was charged with rape and held on $1 million bail. A court date is scheduled for March 28.
Detectives told NBC4 Wednesday morning that they are interviewing another potential victim in the case.
