Man Charged In Rape Near BART Station: DA

CONCORD, CA — A Berkeley man faces charges of rape, assault and robbery in an attack on a woman Monday near the North Concord BART station, authorities with the Contra Costa County District Attorney's Office and the Concord Police Department said late Thursday.

Concord police responded around 6:30 p.m. Monday to a report of a sexual assault that had just occurred on the BART Linear Park trail near Port Chicago Highway. A female victim was walking alone on the trail when she was attacked by a man who forced her to the ground and sexually assaulted her, Concord police Lt. Mark Robison said.

When the victim fought back, the assailant grabbed her purse and stole her cell phone and wallet, Contra Costa DA's Office Spokesperson Ted Asregadoo said.

The victim and a witness followed the suspect — later identified as 40-year-old Larry Dean Ridge Jr. — as he took off toward the BART station.

"He left the purse as he fled toward the BART station," Asregadoo said. "A witness biking on the trail was able to help the victim to the BART station, where a station agent called 911."

Multiple BART and Concord PD officers responded. Ridge was on a train when he was located and detained.

Once the victim and witness positively identified Ridge as the suspect, he was arrested and booked into the county jail in Martinez.

Wednesday afternoon, the DA's Office filed a three-count felony complaint against Ridge.

He was arraigned at the Martinez courthouse and remained in custody in Martinez with his bail set at $1.25 million.

Robison noted that the Concord Police Department had no prior contact with Ridge. He had a previous conviction for murder in 2005 but was not currently on parole or probation.

According to the DA's Office, the charges filed against Ridge included special allegations of prior serious or violent felonies in another county.