Ventura man charged for allegedly attacking woman on bike path

VENTURA, Calif. - The Ventura County District Attorney announced Friday that a man has been charged in a random attack on a woman that took place earlier this month.

28-year-old Martin Valdez Arias of Ventura is suspected of assaulting a woman he did not know while she was walking on a bike path near Ventura Community Park.

The charges against Arias include false imprisonment by violence and attempted sexual battery.

The complaint also alleges that Arias falsely imprisoned the woman for his own sexual gratification and that he has previously been convicted of a "strike" offense.

Arias was arrested on Sept. 5 and appeared in court for his arraignment on Sept. 9. His case was continued to Sept. 15 at 1:30 p.m. in courtroom 14 of the Ventura County Superior Court.

Arias is currently in custody on a $500,000 bail.