San Diego

Man Who Kidnapped, Raped Woman Near Balboa Park Pleads Guilty

Ismael Hernandez faces 55 years to life in prison

A San Diego man who kidnapped and raped a woman near Balboa Park after he attempted to kidnap another woman last year pleaded guilty to three felony charges Monday.

Ismael Hernandez, 27, of Chula Vista, pleaded guilty to forcible rape, kidnapping, and use of a knife, forcible oral copulation and use of knife allegations, and attempted kidnapping for rape while using a knife.

On May 5, 2016, Hernandez approached the first victim "Jane Doe" near 6th Avenue and Cedar Street from behind. The victim saw Hernandez in the reflection of her car window and was able to fight him off and run away, according to San Diego police.

Shortly after, Hernandez confronted a mother at knifepoint on the 1600 block of 8th Avenue, as the victim walked to her car parked on 9th Avenue.

He threatened to kill the victim if she didn’t follow his orders.

Police said Hernandez demanded the victim walk with him into Balboa Park and forced her to walk with him to Date Street, near the Interstate 5 fence. Hernandez forced the woman to go up a staircase on 6th Avenue where he sexually assaulted her.

Then he made the woman walk back to the 1600 block of 9th Avenue and sexually assaulted her once more, police said.

A woman fought off a man who was attempting to assault her as she walked to her car with takeout food, witnesses told NBC 7. NBC 7’s Greg Bledsoe reports.

Hernandez then fled the scene, and the woman tracked down a pizza delivery driver and called the police.

Two days later, Hernandez was arrested and booked into jail. 

According to court documents, Hernandez had two related misdemeanors: he was found guilty of secretly filming a person in 2009; in 2010, he was found guilty of prowling and peeping. Hernandez was also convicted of felony robbery in 2012.

He faces 55 years to life in prison at his Oct. 20 sentencing.

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