McMinnville woman fights off assailant; suspect in custody

A downtown store employee foiled an attempted sexual abuse on Wednesday, by screaming and fighting until her assailant fled, McMinnville police said.

Police have arrested Trinidad Dario Padilla, 44, of McMinnville in relation to the incident.

Padilla, who is on post-prison supervision for attempted first-degree rape, had been living in subsided housing at the jail. He has now been returned to jail on a charge of probation violation.

Police said they anticipate adding charges of attempted first-degree rape, kidnapping and sex abuse.

Padilla had apparently been watching the downtown McMinnville store and the employee for several days, police said. About 1:15 p.m. Wednesday,  when the employee was alone, he entered the store, forced the woman into the back and tried to assault her. She screamed and fought until he fled, then she ran to a nearby store and called 911.

Police said the two do not appear to have known each other.

Police are withholding the name and address of the store to protect the woman's identity.

Anyone with additional information about the case is asked to call McMinnville police, at 503-434-7307.