The Azusa Police Department has announced the arrest of Chima Njoku in connection to a violent assault. Around 6 p.m. on September 6, 2024, a woman was driving in the Citrus College parking lot when she was approached by a man who asked about the weather.

The victim was looking down at her phone when the suspect opened the passenger side door and jumped inside. The victim told the suspect to get out, but the suspect refused and asked for a ride to APU.

The victim agreed to give the suspect a ride out of fear. The suspect made the victim drive to Shire Lane at APU. When the victim reached APU property, she told the suspect to exit the vehicle.

Police say the suspect began to physically assault her and attempted to sexually assault her. Following the violent assault, the suspect fled. When officers were on the scene with the injured victim, they found the suspect hiding under a vehicle near Calera Avenue and Alosta.

The suspect fled leading to a foot pursuit. The suspect fled to 363 Calera Avenue where he allegedly attempted to assault officers before finally being taken into custody. Chima Njokua, Jake Crawford, was arrested for Kidnapping, False Imprisonment, Attempt Rape by Means of Force or Violence, and Knowingly Resist an Officer by Use of Force or Violence.