Lake County man arrested in connection with sexual assault

SANTA ROSA, Calif. -- A man was arrested Friday in connection with an alleged sexual assault on a woman in her home last week, according to the Santa Rosa police.

Police said Robert Lee Rickard, 52, of Lake County was arrested on suspicion of burglary, intent to commit a sexual offense during a burglary, attempted rape of a person unconscious of the act, prowling, and aggravated trespassing.

At 3:15 a.m. on Jan. 25 in the 2300 block of Pinecrest Drive, police said a woman reported waking up to a man in her home standing next to her bed rubbing her leg.

The victim told police she followed the man out of the front door as he fled, but lost sight of him running east on Pinecrest Drive.

Police said there were no signs of forced entry to the doors or windows.

The victim was able to describe the suspect as a white man in 40s or 50s, approximately six feet two inches tall, heavyset, wearing an orange construction worker style shirt, blue jeans and a dark hat, according to police.

Police said officers spoke to an employee at a convenience store located within a mile of where the incident occurred, and an employee recalled a man who matched the description of the suspect being in the store earlier that day.

According to police, a detective from the Sexual Violence/Sexual Assault Investigations Team was able to view video surveillance from the store and confirm with the victim the man in the store was the alleged

Attacker.

Police said the detective was able to identify Rickard's car, a blue Toyota FJ Cruiser, and on Friday saw the vehicle near West Third Street and Fulton Road.

Rickard was arrested without incident, and booked into the Sonoma County Jail where he is being held on $100,000 bond.