NEWPORT BEACH : ‘Ill’ Man Rapes Woman Who Stopped to Help

A woman was raped by a man she tried to help after finding him hunched over and looking ill, authorities said Tuesday.

The woman, whose name was not released, told police she saw a sickly man in his 30s or 40s standing near the boardwalk at 27th Street about 11 a.m. Monday and asked if he needed help, Police Sgt. Andy Gonis said in a prepared statement. The man told her that he wanted to get some medication from his car and asked if she could walk with him there, Gonis said.

About two blocks from the boardwalk, the man and the woman approached a ‘70s- or ‘80s-model gray and blue van, where the man opened the door and appeared to be retrieving something, detectives said.

He pulled out a gun and ordered the woman inside the van, Gonis said. The assailant raped the woman and threatened to shoot, police said.

Investigators did not say whether she escaped from the van or was released. Police are not aware of any similar attacks, Gonis said.

The rapist was described as white, muscular, about six feet tall and 200 pounds. He has brown hair, with a flat-top cut, blue eyes, and a large nose. He was wearing sunglasses, jogging shorts and a sweat shirt, police said.

The van was described as having a bad paint job and curtains all the way around, police said.

Investigators are asking anyone with information to call (800) 550-NBPD.