31-year-old man arrested in attempted sex assault that led woman to jump off Malibu cliff

Man, 31, arrested in attempted Malibu sex assault

MALIBU, Calif. — There has been an arrest in the attempted sexual assault of a Malibu jogger who escaped by jumping off a cliff and sliding about 100 feet down a steep hillside.

Sheriff’s Lt. Richard Erickson says 31-year-old Christian Marcus Verdin was arrested in San Bernardino Friday after detectives said he matched DNA found at the crime scene.

The victim, a 35-year-old woman, had finished a run March 12 at Point Dume State Park and was standing at the edge of a cliff when she was grabbed from behind.

She and the man struggled for several minutes before she was able to break away, run and jump off the cliff.

Deputies say the suspect got away in her Toyota Land Cruiser.

The victim was treated at a hospital for cuts and bruises.