Man denies raping, kidnapping ex-girlfriend in Yorba Linda

A 53-year-old man pleaded not guilty Friday to raping and kidnapping his ex-girlfriend who he drove from Yorba Linda to Hesperia.

Monsuru Wole Sho is charged with rape, kidnapping, criminal threats, domestic violence, all felonies, and a misdemeanor count of aggravated trespass.

Sho’s 50-year-old ex-girlfriend woke up about 2 a.m., June 20, with the defendant in her bedroom, according to a legal motion to increase Sho’s bail.

An argument escalated into a physical altercation in which he “crushed” her head with his knees as he took her clothes off, according to the motion. The defendant then allegedly sexually assaulted her with his fingers before raping her, investigators alleged in the motion.

The victim ran out of her home after Sho fell asleep and shouted for help, but he chased after her and then dragged her by the hair into his car, investigators alleged in the motion. He drove her to a cousin’s home in Hesperia, and while she was in the backseat he allegedly slapped her and pulled her hair so hard that she got into the front seat, where he punched her in the arm while driving, the motion alleged.

When they stopped at a gas station she again tried to get away and he dragged her back into the car, investigators alleged.

When they arrived in Hesperia she convinced her ex-boyfriend and his cousin to drive her back home, investigators alleged in the motion. A neighbor saw them pulling up and confronted the cousin, prompting the two to quickly leave, investigators said.

Later, in a covert call the victim made to Sho with investigators eavesdropping, the defendant “apologized,” and indicated he was suicidal and wanted to flee back to his native Nigeria, investigators alleged.

Sho was being held in lieu of $5 million bail, according to sheriff’s records.

Sho was ordered to return to court July 25 for a pretrial hearing.