Man Arrested After Santa Ana Mall Sexual Assault; Police Seek More Victims

Jan 19, 2023

An Orange County man was arrested Wednesday in connection with a stalking, sexual assault, robbery, and kidnapping of a 19-year-old woman.

Police say Quinnton Xavier Roberson, 28, of Santa Ana kidnapped a woman who was shopping Monday at the Main Place Mall in the 2800 block of N. Main Street. The suspect is described by investigators as a dangerous and violent “predator” with a history of similar incidents.

“Roberson has a prior arrest for a similar related incident in early 2022 in Orange County and has a prior conviction for assault with a deadly weapon,” the Santa Ana Police Department said in a statement.

The incident at Main Place Mall reportedly occurred at around 7 p.m. Monday. Police indicated that the teenage victim was shopping when Roberson allegedly stalked her and proceeded to follow the woman back to her vehicle in a parking structure.

“Roberson is accused of then forcing the victim to drive to a secluded parking lot in the 400 block of South Flower Street in Orange. There he allegedly sexually assaulted her, stole her personal property, and fled,” ABC 7 reported.

Following the alleged sexual assault, the 19-year-old victim drove to a nearby convenience store and contacted Orange Police officials.

Within 24 hours, investigators had identified Roberson as the suspect. He was arrested and booked at the Orange County Jail on the following charges:

• Kidnapping
• Robbery
• Sexual assault

Roberson’s bail was set at $1 million.

“It is through the diligent efforts of our detectives from the Special Crimes Section, who worked tirelessly through the night, that this violent and dangerous suspect was taken into custody within 24 hours of the crime being reported to our Department,” Santa Ana Chief David Valentin said. “The crimes committed by this predator involved some of the most heinous acts of violence against an innocent victim going about her day.”

“When someone’s just going about their day, not expecting this – it just shouldn’t happen to anybody,” Santa Ana police Sergeant Maria Lopez added.

Given Roberson’s pattern of violent crime, police say there may be additional victims who have yet to be identified. Santa Ana Police investigators are requesting the public’s assistance in identifying victims and/or past crimes committed by the suspect.

To submit a tip, please contact Detective M. Thomas at 714-245-8346 or by email at mthomas@santa-ana.org. You may also contact Orange County Crime Stoppers at 855-TIP-OCCS.

Public Caution Urged After Multiple Los Angeles-Area Sexual Assaults

A number of sexual assaults have been reported recently in Southern California, with officials urging caution in certain situations.

• In early January, a predator sexually assaulted a teenager at a local hiking trail. The victim was able to fight off her attacker and eventually ran to a nearby home and called for help. Larry Molina, 24, of Irvine was arrested in connection with the Peters Canyon Trail sexual assault.
• In December 2022, Michael Neal Watson Jr., 21, was arrested in connection with sexually assaulting nine women and four female minors at gunpoint. Watson is believed to have targeted victims through Instagram over the course of two years. The incidents reportedly occurred in Los Angeles, East Los Angeles, and Inglewood.
• Last year, a Trabuco Canyon man was arrested in connection with sexually assaulting three women he had met on a dating website between September 2021 and September 2022. Deep Ketan Vora, 30, was arrested at Los Angeles International Airport on numerous sex crime charges, including two counts of rape, three counts of sexual penetration by foreign object, one count of false imprisonment, one count of attempted kidnapping to commit a sex offense, one count of forcible oral copulation, one count of assault with the intent to commit a sex offense, and one count of sexual battery.

In December 2022, Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) officials urged anyone accessing local hiking trails to exercise caution and vigilance. The LAPD announced increased patrols in the area, but urged certain precautions to be taken by the public:

• Hikers should travel in pairs and carry a cellphone in case of emergency.
• Hikers should always be aware of their surroundings.
• Hikers should always let others know in advance where they are going.

How to File a California Sexual Assault Lawsuit

As a survivor of sexual assault, you may wish to pursue a civil claim in addition to any possible criminal charges which may be filed against your perpetrator by the local District Attorney’s Office. A civil lawsuit with Dordulian Law Group (DLG) can help a survivor recover financial compensation for damages suffered following a sexual assault:

• Pain and suffering
• Hospital expenses
• Medical care costs – past and future
• Lost wages and/or reduced future earning capacity
• Counseling and/or therapy expenses – past and future
• Reduced quality of life
• Punitive damages

The severity of a crime, the extent of liability, and the skill and ability of your sexual assault attorney are a few factors which can impact the success of your civil claim and ultimate value of your cash settlement.

DLG’s Glendale, California, sexual assault lawyers have successfully secured numerous multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts on behalf of survivors.

At DLG, We Fight Tirelessly for Sexual Assault Survivors

DLG is a premier and top-rated sexual assault firm founded by Sam Dordulian, a former sex crimes prosecutor in the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office who helped secure life sentences against some of the area’s most dangerous sexual predators. Dordulian and his team lead a different kind of full-service firm offering survivors of sexual assault a 24/7 support network known as the SAJE Team (Sexual Assault Justice Experts).

DLG’s SAJE Team includes:

• A team of proven sexual assault lawyers led by Dordulian
• An in-house licensed clinical therapist
• An in-house retired LAPD sex crimes detective
• An in-house victim advocate

DLG’s sexual assault attorneys and SAJE Team professionals are available 24/7 to serve as your dedicated legal advocates. We will fight tirelessly to secure the justice and maximum financial compensation you deserve for your sexual assault case.

Our Sexual Assault Justice Experts are here to help survivors secure justice. Contact our top-rated attorneys online or by phone for a free consultation today.

Contact DLG today at 866-GO-SEE-SAM for a free and confidential consultation.