Torrance woman sexually assaulted, beaten while taking her dogs on walk; suspect arrested

TORRANCE, Calif. (KABC) -- Torrance police arrested a man suspected of sexually assaulting and brutally beating a woman who was out walking her dogs early Sunday.

The woman was attacked and sexually assaulted by the man at about 1 a.m. in the 4300 block of Emerald Street, according to the Torrance Police Department.

Investigators say the woman had just gotten home from work and went out to walk her two dogs.

Torrance police said the woman fought back after she was tackled from behind by the suspect. She was badly injured before the man fled the scene.

A neighbor who spoke to Eyewitness News said the victim ran across the street and alerted another neighbor to call police after the attack happened.

Police said the suspect was arrested Monday around 7:30 p.m., and the arrest was coordinated by several investigators from the Torrance Police Department assigned to the Special Investigations and Detective divisions.

The suspect's name was not released, and detectives are still processing evidence.

The suspect is believed to be a transient.

City News Service contributed to this report.