Arrest made in series of Carlsbad assaults at nature preserve

A 22-year-old man was arrested Friday on suspicion of assaulting women at a city nature preserve in recent weeks, officials said.

Police said they had received several reports of a man riding an electric bike who allegedly approached female trail users from behind in the Lake Calavera Preserve and struck their buttocks as he passed. The preserve, with trails that can be used by hikers or bicyclists, is the largest of 13 city-owned nature preserves in Carlsbad.

Police said the man was arrested on suspicion of seven counts of assault and booked into the Vista jail. The suspect matched the description given by a victim after an alleged assault on Friday in the preserve, police said.

Police said anyone who was assaulted in the preserve or has information about the case is asked to contact Detective Nick Walker at nick.walker@carlsbadca.gov.