LA County firefighter arrested on suspicion of sexual assault

EL MONTE, Calif. (KABC) -- El Monte police officers arrested a Los Angeles County Fire Department firefighter on suspicion of sexually assaulting a woman, driving under the influence and possessing a firearm near school grounds Wednesday afternoon.

A woman was walking in the 2600 block of Potrero Avenue near Potrero Intermediate School around 8:15 a.m. She was then approached by a man from behind who proceeded to grab and sexually assault her.

The woman ran away from the suspect and contacted a male witness. The suspect then entered a black Ford truck and drove off, heading westbound down Giovane Street. The victim also notified school officials, who later called El Monte police.

El Monte police were called around 12:40 p.m. by the school on reports of a suspicious person in a black Ford truck. Authorities located the car and determined that it matched the description of the sexual assault suspect's car.

Officers spoke with the driver, later identified as 38-year-old Moreno Valley resident Richard Loken. During the conversation, police noticed a handgun in the seat next to him. He was then detained and police discovered the handgun was loaded. Handcuffs and a personal taser were also recovered from the truck.

Loken was then arrested and booked at El Monte Police Department. During the preliminary investigation, investigators learned that Loken is employed as a fireman with the Los Angeles County Fire Department.

He is being held in lieu of $55,000 bail and is set to be arraigned on Friday at the El Monte Superior Courthouse. The Los Angeles County Fire Department is cooperating with the investigation.

Anyone with information regarding the case is asked to call the El Monte Police Department at (626) 580-2114. Information may also be submitted to tips@empd.org.