Sheriff’s deputies were searching for a convicted sex offender who they say sexually assaulted a woman he works with at a rehabilitation center.
San Bernardino County sheriff’s investigators say 57-year-old Gerard Finn had been working odd jobs at the home of the victim, who he knew from working together at a help center for convicted felons.
On Sunday, Finn was at her home in the 7700 block of Church Avenue in Highland, investigators said. He lured the woman to a shed in her yard, where he punched her and tried to tie her up. Finn allegedly held the woman at knifepoint, cut off her clothing and forced her to perform a sex act with him.
"During the attempted rape, the suspect did display a knife when he force the victim to orally copulate him," said Jodi Miller of the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department.
The woman fought Finn off before he stole her keys and took off in her car.
"Turn yourself in," Roy Williams, the suspect's roommate, said in a plea to Finn. "You don't need to be here in society doing those types of things."
The victim's car was described as a white four-door 2012 Nissan Versa with California license plate 6YUY845.
Finn hasn’t been to his San Bernardino home since, investigators said.
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A felony warrant has been issued for his arrest. Deputies said he is considered armed and dangerous.
Finn, who has also gone by Gerry, has prior convictions for rape and sexual assault, deputies said.
He faces charges including assault with intent to commit rape, false imprisonment and grand theft auto.
Anyone with information on Finn’s whereabouts was asked to call police. If you see Finn in public, call 911.
Hetty Chang contributed to this report.
