Attempted Rape Suspect Arrested

A 24-year-old Laguna Hills man was arrested early Tuesday on suspicion of attempting to rape a woman as she waited for a taxi, officials said.

The incident took place around 1:30 a.m. on the 24400 block of Hillsdale near Moulton Parkway and La Paz. The woman, also 24, was approached by two men outside a residential area and later sexually assaulted, authorities said.

Two men approached her and asked her if she wanted a ride, but she declined and they left, sheriff's spokesman Jim Amormino said. A short time later, one of the men returned, he said.

"He grabbed her, threw her to the ground, partially disrobed her, and sexually assaulted her," Amormino said. The woman screamed, and the man fled.

A resident heard her cries and called authorities, Amormino said.

At 7 a.m., investigators canvassed the area and questioned a man who identified one of the suspects, Amormino said.

"He basically turned in one of the suspects," Amormino said. "We brought the [other] man in and he admitted to the crime. We do not know the relationship of the two men."

Edison Quiroa Carrito, 24, of 21600 Sunnyglen in Laguna Hills was later taken to Santa Ana Central Jail and booked on suspicion of attempted rape and kidnapping, Amormino said.

Correction: An earlier version of this story incorrectly said two men assaulted the woman. Only one did.