HAZLETON, Pa. — Police in Luzerne County have arrested a man for two sexual assaults in the Hazleton area.
Police charged Jiobany Cruz, 36, of Hazleton, on Thursday after they say he tried to rape a woman when she left a fitness center in Hazleton. Arrest papers say Cruz followed the woman into her vehicle and tried to assault her. Cruz fled when the woman pressed the vehicle's horn.
Cruz was picked up later in the day on Thursday and charged with attempted rape, unlawful restraint, simple assault, and harassment.
Investigators believe Cruz is also responsible for a sexual assault last year in the Hazleton area.
Police said Cruz followed a woman into her home a raped her in May of 2023. DNA evidence indicates Cruz is responsible, according to arrest papers.
He faces two counts of rape, aggravated assault, and three other felonies.
Cruz was denied bail and is locked up in the Luzerne County Correctional Facility.