Assault Suspect in Custody

Santa Fe Springs - On October 26th at 8:20pm, Whittier Police Officers began responding to 9700 Jersey Avenue regarding a 911 hang up call. The connection with the cell phone was lost but dispatchers overheard a woman screaming in the background. The connection was re-established and it was determined that it was a possible family disturbance at the condo.

After arriving the victim said the male suspect, who resides in the condo complex with the victim’s mother, had washed her car earlier. She said that she had agreed to pay him for his services and at 8:20pm, he came to her door demanding money for the car wash. At this time, she told him she didn’t have the money, but would pay him later. He became irate and started screaming at her while banging and kicking on the front door. After he realized he couldn’t get in through the front door and front slider, he made his way around to the back of the condo and threw open the garage door. He made his way to the back door, located inside the garage, and forced his way into the condo. Once inside, the suspect grabbed the victim around the neck and began to strangle her. He told her that he was “going to strike the fear of God in her” and was eventually interrupted by the victim’s roommate who scared him off. The victim suffered minor redness to her neck.

While checking the area, Officers found the suspect in front of 9715 Alburtis. A field show up was conducted and identified Sabino Muniz (4-16-71) of Santa Fe Springs as the suspect. Muniz was taken into custody for assault with a deadly weapon, burglary, and terrorist threats.