A man, who was released from jail only hours earlier, is suspected of burglarizing a home in Fontana and using a knife in an attempt to rape an 18-year-old girl while she slept Tuesday.
Twenty-year-old Flavio Hernandez was arrested because he left behind booking paperwork in the home with his information on it, according to Fontana police investigators.
"The frustrating part is that the suspect had just been released county jail, hours prior for a similar charge," Fontana police officer Jay Sayegh said.
Investigators say Hernandez was released early from jail for a previous burglary conviction. They also say he is an example of what is wrong with California's early release program.
"They're taking crimes like burglary and narcotics, things like that, and considering it non-violent," Sayegh said.
Officers say in Tuesday's incident, they believe Hernandez went in with the intention to burglarize the home and placed the stolen items outside where he could get them later before waking and threatening the sleeping teenager.
"He then saw an opportunity and reentered the house with the intention of raping this young female," Sayegh said.
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The 18-year-old victim spoke with NBC4 but did not want to be identified. She said she awoke to someone going through her belongings. The man pulled out a knife and attempted to rape her, the teenager says.
"I grabbed his wrist with the knife, then i started screaming," the victim told NBC4.
The attacker stumbled down the stairs and left through the front door, which family members say they mistakenly left unlocked, according to victim.
"I want to see him and punch him you know," the victim's mother said, sharing relief that her daughter was not harmed in the attack.
