Scratched and Jailed

Sheriff's deputies arrested a Spring Valley rape suspect on February 27 in the 500 block of Palomar Street in Chula Vista.

According to a press release issued by detective Pete Carrillo, the sheriff's station in Lemon Grove received a 911 hang-up call at around 6:45 a.m. Deputies responded to the "unknown trouble" call, which came from the 9000 block of Kenwood Drive in Spring Valley, and found a hysterical, 43-year-old woman at the home. She said she had just been raped by an acquaintance and, in fighting him off, had scratched his face.

The deputies began an investigation and discovered the suspect had given the woman a false identity, but they obtained a description of his pickup truck.

At 3:50 p.m., the deputies spotted Jose Luis Covarruibias, 46, driving along East Frontage Drive. After calling for backup from Chula Vista police and the Imperial Beach sheriff's station, they followed him to the Jack in the Box and blocked his truck so he couldn't escape. Officers noticed fresh scratch marks on his face and took him into custody without incident.

Covarruibias was booked into San Diego Central Jail on one count of forcible rape and related charges. His bail was set at $100,000. The victim, whose name was not released, was taken to a medical facility for treatment of her injuries.