A Woodland Hills man has been convicted on multiple felony counts after a series of assaults on women in Ventura County, marking the end of a harrowing saga for victims and their families. Edgar Rodriguez Ruelas, 42, was found guilty by jury of crimes including assault with the intent to commit a sex crime and residential burglary, according to the Ventura County District Attorney's Office.

In a chilling string of attacks between 2017 and 2020, Ruelas targeted women who were either alone on hiking trails or asleep in their homes. The jury convicted him on May 2, 2024, after Ruelas' DNA linked him to the crimes, except for one incident where his DNA was not found. Jurors returned on May 6 to deliberate on several aggravating factors, and by May 7 they had established that Ruelas posed a serious threat to society.

The District Attorney's Office details that the first reported offense took place when Ruelas broke into a woman's apartment and attempted to assault her, only to flee when she screamed for help. The pattern continued with assaults on lone hikers, including a terrifying encounter where a victim used her ukulele to fend off her attacker.

Senior Deputy District Attorney Brent Nibecker, praised the victims for their bravery. "I am indebted to the brave victims in this case who not only resisted Ruelas when he attacked, but had the courage to testify in court and ensure he can never target women again," he stated. Ruelas, whose arrest came after law enforcement pieced together evidence from surveillance footage and a patrol car's license plate reader, is now facing a maximum sentence of 32 years to life, plus an additional 21 years, when he is sentenced on June 5.