Simi Valley — Nearly nine years after a woman was assaulted by a group of men wearing masks near Galena Avenue, Ventura County prosecutors announced the arrest of a man they say was one of the attackers.
Long-dormant case yields an arrest
The attack occurred just after 4 a.m. on Sept. 21, 2017, when the woman was walking to work, according to the Ventura County District Attorney's Office. Prosecutors allege the group wore masks resembling the
"Ghostface character from the horror film Scream,"and used a knife during the assault. The suspects fled the scene after the attack, and the woman called 911.
Simi Valley Police Department officers responded and opened an investigation, but detectives eventually exhausted leads and the case went cold. This year, investigators with the Ventura County District Attorney's Office identified Ricardo Jimenez-Garcia as a suspect, and he was arrested on Sept. 9, 2026. Prosecutors have since charged him in connection with the attack, though they have not publicly detailed the specific charges.
What officials have and have not disclosed
Officials have declined to release several key items of information, leaving unanswered questions for the public about both the assault and the investigation. Among the details withheld are the precise charges filed against Jimenez-Garcia, the nature and extent of the victim's injuries and whether she knew any of the alleged attackers. Authorities also have not named any of the other men involved.
- Attack date: Sept. 21, 2017
- Arrest: Sept. 9, 2026 (Jimenez-Garcia)
- Evidence or lead prompting the identification: not publicly disclosed
Media accounts vary slightly on the suspect's age: ABC7 Los Angeles reported him as 39, while NBC Los Angeles listed him as 38 in earlier coverage. Local and county officials have not reconciled those differences in public statements.
Investigators seek public help
In connection with the renewed push, prosecutors released photographs of Jimenez-Garcia and asked anyone who might recognize him to come forward. They are also seeking assistance identifying the other men who participated in the attack. Media reports indicate that renewed efforts by the DA's investigators were directly responsible for the arrest, but officials have not released details about the techniques, leads or evidence that produced the breakthrough.
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Sept. 21, 2017 | Assault on Galena Avenue reported; Simi Valley police investigate |
| Sept. 9, 2026 | Ricardo Jimenez-Garcia arrested; charges filed by Ventura County prosecutors |
Local context and community impact
The attack occurred in the early-morning hours in a part of Simi Valley where residents and workers pass through to reach nearby businesses and transit. The arrest closes a chapter of uncertainty for investigators but leaves many questions for the neighborhood and for the victim. Cases that remain unsolved for years can weigh on community perceptions of safety, and local law enforcement often faces pressure to explain how cold cases are reopened and resolved.
As the criminal case moves forward, standard practice is for prosecutors and defense attorneys to exchange information through discovery and for the court process to determine the validity of evidence and any ultimate penalties. At this stage, with specific charges not yet disclosed publicly, the judicial timetable and the nature of the case’s eventual resolution remain unclear.
Anyone with information about the attack or the identities of additional suspects has been asked to contact the Ventura County District Attorney's Office or Simi Valley Police Department. Investigators said the newly released photos are intended to assist in identifying other individuals involved in the incident.
Authorities have emphasized that the investigation is ongoing and urged anyone with relevant information to come forward.
