ST. HELENS, Ore. — Police arrested a man suspected of attempting to sexually assault a woman at knifepoint in St. Helens.
At about 9 p.m. on November 14, police responded to a report of suspicious activity at the 700 block of Oregon Street.
A female victim at the scene told St. Helens police she met with the male suspect who had solicited cleaning and house-sitting services from her online.
When the woman arrived in St. Helens, she walked with the suspect for several blocks under the impression that he was taking her to his house. The suspect then dragged the woman into the bushes where he threatened to sexually assault her at knifepoint, police said.
The woman was able to escape and call 911.
A sense of disbelief among neighbors but also a sense of relief.
"She's lucky, it could've been worse for her and I'm glad she's okay," Roy McCullough said.
Tristin Clay Litts, 20, was arrested and charged with two counts of kidnapping, attempted rape, sex abuse, attempted sex abuse, assault, coercion, unlawful use of a weapon and menacing. Litts was booked into the Washington County Jail.
A Hillsboro Police Department K-9 team recovered the knife used in the assault.
Police don’t believe there are other outstanding suspects or threats to the community.
"We don't want this to happen to anybody and luckily we caught this person so he can't do it again," St. Helens Police Sgt. Evin Eustice said.
Anyone with information is asked to call St. Helens Police Department Detective King at 503-397-3333 or dustink@ci.st-helens.or.us or St. Helens Sergeant Eustice at 503-397-3333 or evine@ci.st-helens.or.us.