El Salvador National, 16, Charged With Attempted Rape in Lansdale Park

An El Salvadorian teenager has been arrested and charged with the attempted rape of a Lansdale mother in Stony Creek Park on Monday afternoon.
Herson Guardado, 16, an El Salvador citizen, is charged with felony attempted rape, felony attempted sexual assault, misdemeanor possession of an instrument of crime, misdemeanor unlawful restraint, misdemeanor simple assault, misdemeanor reckless endangerment, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, disorderly conduct and harassment, police said.
On Jan. 13, at 4:45 p.m., police were called to Stony Creek Park on East Hancock Street for a report of an armed individual.
Upon arrival, police spoke with a 25-year-old woman from Lansdale, who told them that, while at the park with her three children, she saw a young man, identified as Guardado, in the park, police said.
While the alleged victim was putting her children in her car, with her backed turned, Guardado allegedly came up from behind, placing one arm around her neck and sticking a knife in her side, police said.
At the time of the alleged attack, Guardado was wearing a blue mask, police said.
Guardado then began to allegedly force the woman away from her car to a wooded area, police said.
During this ordeal, police said Guardado allegedly told her, "You want sex."
The alleged victim was able to get free from Guardado, who then ran toward the woods, police said.
While officers searched the area, a K-9 from Montgomery Township Police arrived and tracked Guardado toward Upper Gwynedd Township, police said.
An Upper Gwynedd Township officer saw someone matching Guardado's description on the railroad tracks near the 500 block of Church Road in Upper Gwynedd, police said.
Minutes later, another Upper Gwynedd officer saw Guardado exit the woods nearby and detained him until a positive identification was made by the alleged victim, police said.
During a search after the arrest, police allegedly found a knife, marijuana and a pipe on Guardado, police said.
After receiving approval from the Montgomery County District Attorney's Office, Lansdale Police directly filed charges in adult court, based on Guardado's age and alleged use of a deadly weapon during the alleged attempted rape, police said.
Guardado was arraigned before District Judge Patricia Zaffarano, who set bail at $100,000 cash, police said. Guardado was taken to Montgomery County prison in lieu of bail.
A preliminary hearing is set before District Judge Harold Borek for Jan. 27.