Transient arrested on suspicion of groping, chasing woman in Santa Ana

SANTA ANA – A 32-year-old transient was behind bars on suspicion of groping a woman in Santa Ana on the evening of Tuesday, April 30.

Shon Michael Sharp was booked on suspicion of sexual battery and was being held on $25,000 bail, according to jail records.

Police were called at 9:40 p.m. Tuesday to an apartment building in the 1300 block of North Cabrillo Park Drive regarding screaming from a woman who was groped by a transient, Santa Ana Police Cpl. Anthony Bertagna said.

“She was trying to get her keys out and get into her apartment because (Sharp) was following her,” to her upstairs residence, Bertagna said. “She couldn’t find her keys, turns around and he’s standing right next to her.”

The victim was “petrified” as he allegedly grabbed her in the groin area, Bertagna said.

The woman “broke free” and ran to a neighbor, prompting the suspect to dash downstairs toward two other women, Bertagna said.

“We got there before he got to them,” he said.