Crime & Safety

Banning Man Arrested on Suspicion of Attempted Homicide, Sexual Assault: Alleged Victim Critical

Joseph Blancarte, 47, of Banning, was arrested Wednesday at the Greyhound bus station in Modesto, said Sgt. Sean Bahash of the sheriff's Cabazon Station. The victim remained in critical condition.

A Banning man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted homicide and sexual assault in an attack on a woman in Cabazon that left her hospitalized in critical condition, according to the sheriff's department.

The woman was found unconscious with massive head trauma about 7:20 a.m. Monday in the 14000 block of Citrus Avenue, Sgt. Sean Bahash of the sheriff's Cabazon Station said.

Deputies and CalFire personnel rendered aid to the woman, and she was taken to an area hospital, Bahash said earlier this week.

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Investigators identified a suspect, Joseph Blancarte, 47, of Banning, and secured a warrant for his arrest, Bahash said. They believed Blancarte fled the Pass area and was on his way to Modesto.

They contacted Modesto police, who found Blancarte at the Greyhound bus station in Modesto about 12:15 p.m. Wednesday. Cabazon Station investigators brought Blancarte back to the Pass and he was booked at Larry D. Smith Correctional Facility.

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Blancarte’s bail was set at $1,050,000, Bahash said.

The victim in the alleged attack remained in critical condition following surgery at a hospital, Bahash said. She is in her 40s and she is believed to be transient and homeless.

Blancarte was known to Banning police and the sheriff's department from prior arrests for public intoxication, Bahash said in a phone interview.

His most recent previous arrest was last week for misdemeanor disorderly conduct involving drugs or alcohol, according to Bahash and inmate records. He was arrested March 30 and released March 31, five days before the alleged attack in Cabazon.

Blancarte is also believed to be transient, Bahash said.

Anyone with further information was urged to call Investigator Jackie Lane at the Cabazon Station, (951) 922-7100), the sheriff's dispatch center, 1-800-950-2444, or email CabazonStation@riversidesheriff.org


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