SAPD arrests sexual battery suspect and are looking for more of his victims

Santa Ana Police Department Advisory: Detectives arrest sexual battery suspect – believe there may be additional unreported cases throughout Orange County

Today, members of Santa Ana Family Crimes Unit served a $100,000 arrest warrant at the home of Gary Dalton Derusha (21) in the city of Anaheim. Derusha is charged with eight counts of sexual battery, carrying a switchblade knife and resisting an officer. Seven of the charged cases occurred in Tustin and one in Santa Ana.

On 5/21/13, Derusha followed an adult female after she dropped off her daughter at Fairhaven Elementary School, Santa Ana. Derusha followed the female to her apartment complex, 1600 E. 17th Street. He ran up behind the victim and pulled her pants down and sexually assaulted her.

A second Santa Ana incident occurred on 9/16/13 with the same victim. In this case the suspect once again followed the victim home after dropping her daughter off at school. Prior to contacting the victim, she observed the suspect, who was driving in a 1994 Toyota Camry black in color, as the same male who assaulted her on 5/21/13. The victim was able to get the suspect’s license plate and immediately called 911. The suspect fled the scene and there was no assault.

In September of 2013, detectives following up on the case, found that Tustin Police Department had arrested Gary Dalton Derusha in August 2013 for seven similar crimes in their city. Derusha was driving the same vehicle. They were also informed that Derusha was out on bail for those cases.

Detectives believe that there may be additional victims in the Orange County area. We are releasing photos of suspect Gary Dalton Derusha and his vehicle. Anyone one with information is requested to contact Santa Ana Family Crimes Unit Detective David Yettaw 714-245-8432.

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