Anaheim and Garden Grove police officers took a man into custody in the 6100 block of Robin Way in Buena Park around 7:30 p.m. His name was not released.
The victims were asked to help investigators confirm the suspect in custody was the same suspect that committed the assaults Thursday.
"I would like to thank the public for their help thus far in calling in leads in this case and encourage them to continue while we go about verifying whether the person we have in custody is the same subject that committed these crimes," said Garden Grove police Lt. Ben Stauffer.
Police say a suspect violently attacked two women in Anaheim and three women in Garden Grove within a stretch of five hours.
Investigators released surveillance video of the suspect Saturday. A security camera from a convenience store caught the suspect walking outside the Alamo Hotel in Anaheim just before 8 p.m. Thursday. That's where police say the suspect attacked two of the women.
"This guy is really dangerous," said Stauffer. "He has a knife, he has been willing to use it in the past, and we're confident he'll use it in the future if we don't get him into custody."
Police responded to the first incident around 5:30 p.m. Thursday in the 11300 block of Euclid Street in Garden Grove. Police say the suspect struck the woman several times and dragged her before fleeing the scene.
Around 7:30 p.m., a second woman returned to her home in the 11300 block of Clarissa Street and found a burglar inside. Police say the suspect stabbed the woman three times with a knife and fled. The woman is expected to recover from her injuries, police said.
Shortly after 10 p.m. a third female resident reported being assaulted by a man in the 11300 block of Lampson Avenue. According to police, the suspect struck the woman several times before she was able to escape and call police.
Police believe the attacks may have been failed attempts at sexual assaults.
"Several of the assaults appeared to be that he was trying to get them into a more private area, so it's unclear what he would have done if he was successful in getting them in there," said Stauffer. "Fortunately, our victims have been able to escape up to this point."
Investigators say the suspect may have asked for a ride after the attacks. They're hoping someone may have spotted him then.
"We have bloodhounds that have confirmed his scent up to the area of Euclid and Chapman and lost it there, which can be indicative of a person entering a motor vehicle and leaving the area," said Stauffer.
The suspect was wanted for felony assault. He was described as a white or Hispanic male in his early 20s with tattoos on both arms. He was last seen wearing a gray short-sleeved T shirt and blue jeans. He possibly has a piercing in his lower lip.
Anyone with information regarding the assaults was urged to contact Garden Grove Police at (714) 741-5070.
