A Ventura County man is behind bars on $1 million bail after authorities say he lured a woman from a downtown bar, drove her to an isolated canyon road, and attempted to kill her in a brutal attack that was only stopped when a stranger heard her screams.
Ignacio Rafael Anzaldo, 33, of Ventura, was arrested and charged with attempted premeditated murder following the July 25 incident that left a woman hospitalized and a community shaken.
What Happened That Night
Anzaldo and the victim left a downtown Ventura bar together late that evening. Shortly after getting into a vehicle, authorities say Anzaldo began physically assaulting the woman while still driving.
He then drove her to a remote stretch of Wheeler Canyon Road in Santa Paula — far from witnesses, far from help.
Once there, prosecutors say Anzaldo threatened to kill her and pulled out a knife, cutting her during the attack. The assault continued until a nearby resident overheard the struggle and intervened, giving the victim a chance to escape.
She was transported to Ventura County Medical Center for treatment of her injuries.
Ventura Police Department officers located Anzaldo shortly after and took him into custody.
Charges Filed
The Ventura County District Attorney’s Office filed charges against Anzaldo on July 30. He now faces:
- Attempted willful, deliberate, premeditated murder
- Kidnapping
- Assault with a deadly weapon
- Assault with force likely to cause great bodily injury
- Corporal injury to a spouse or cohabitant
- Criminal threats (two counts)
- Destroying or concealing evidence (two counts)
- Special allegation for use of a deadly weapon
In Court
Anzaldo made his first court appearance on July 28. His arraignment was continued to August 12. He remains held on $1 million bail.
Anyone with additional information related to this case is encouraged to contact the Ventura Police Department.