COTTONWOOD – A medical alert device led first responders to the rescue of an elderly Cottonwood woman and the arrest of the predator trying to kill her.
According to Cottonwood Police, on Sunday at around 10:50 a.m., Cottonwood Fire & Medical were dispatched to the 900 block of East Mingus Avenue for a medical alert activation where the alarm company couldn’t make contact with their client.
When the fire department arrived they found the front door unlocked but barricaded with furniture. Fire fighters gained entry and announced their presence. They didn’t find anyone until they got to a bedroom with the door closed. Fire fighters try to enter, but the door was immediately slammed shut by a man telling them everything is fine.
Fortunately, the fire fighters knew that an elderly woman lived in the home alone.
Te fire fighters contacted the Cottonwood Police Department. Once officers arrived the made entry into the bedroom where they found 35-year-old Cottonwood resident, Humberto Antonio Moreno, partially clothed laying on top of an elderly female suffocating her. Moreno was pulled off of the victim and placed into handcuffs.
According to Cottonwood Police, the 75-year-old victim gasped for air and thanked the first responders for saving her.
Police believe Moreno broke into the victim’s house armed with a knife and sexually assaulted her. The victim was able to activate her medical alert system.
The victim was transported to the Verde Valley Medical Center where she was treated and released.
Moreno was charged with 6 counts of sexual assault, kidnapping, 3 counts of aggravated assault, sexual abuse, burglary in the first degree and misdemeanor assault. Additional charges are expected.
Moreno is in custody at the Yavapai County Detention Center on a $50,000.00 cash only bond.