A woman jogging on the bike path in Valencia near the post office on McBean Parkway was attacked and taken to the hospital Tuesday morning.
Paramedics were dispatched for reports of an assault near the northern end of Auto Center Drive, north of Creekside Drive, a spokesman for the Los Angeles County Fire Department told The Signal.
Deputies with the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station responded to the same call.
The retired police officer and two Good Samaritans on cycles stopped the suspect’s attack and detained him, pending the arrival of deputies as they called 9-1-1.
“This (call) was for the possible assault of a female,” the Fire Department spokesman said, noting paramedics arriving at the scene called for an ambulance.
The victim, a 70-year woman, was attacked without warning, said Sgt. Chris Maurizi of the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station.
A retired Los Angeles Police Department officer witnessed the incident and came to the woman’s aid, Maurizi said.
The suspect, Colton Ford, a 29 year-old Caucasian male and local transient, allegedly approached her and began to strangle her, rendering her unconscious.
The Los Angeles County Fire Department was dispatched to the scene at 8:22 a.m. and arrived six minutes later to treat the woman for her injuries, according to Inspector Joey Marone.
They rendered aid to the victim who was transported to a local hospital where she is listed in fair condition.
The suspect was arrested and transported to Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station where he was booked for attempted murder. He is being held in lieu of two million dollars bail.
