Assault, Attempted Rape Of Boy In Temecula: Suspect Arrested

TEMECULA, CA — A 44-year-old transient suspected of beating and attempting to rape a Temecula boy in a dry creek bed, inflicting serious injuries, was being held Tuesday in lieu of $100,000 bail.

Juan Nacib Salman was arrested and booked into the Byrd Detention Center in Murrieta Monday on suspicion of child cruelty, assault with a deadly weapon and attempted forcible sodomy of a minor, according to Riverside County sheriff's Sgt. Edmond Seltzer.

The alleged attack happened about 4:30 a.m. Monday in a wash south of Temecula Parkway, near Pechanga Parkway.

Seltzer alleged that the suspect struck the youth several times with a blunt instrument, causing "significant injuries," while trying to gain control of the boy and rape him. The teenager managed to break away and run for help, the sergeant said.

Witnesses called 911, and patrol deputies reached the location within a few minutes, taking Salman into custody without incident, Seltzer said.

The victim, whose name was withheld, was taken to a hospital for treatment and is expected to recover.

There was no word on the relationship between Salman and the boy, if any, or why the teen was in the suspect's company.

No information on Salman's background was available.

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--City News Service