Woman kidnapped, raped, and left in Fresno County

FRESNO COUNTY (KFSN) -- Deputies are searching for a man accused of kidnapping and raping a 21-year-old woman.

According to investigators, the man forced the woman into his truck at gunpoint on McKinley near West in Fresno around 6:30 p.m. He dropped her off in an orchard near Whitesbridge and Blythe after assaulting her. She then, walked a half mile to a packing shed for help and an employee called the sheriff's office.

Investigators said it appears to be a random act of violence.

"It's one of the worst cases we can think of, both in law enforcement and the community, is someone out there just randomly preying on people, taking them against their will, and on top of that assaulting them," said Tony Botti, Fresno County Sheriff's Office.

Deputies are searching for the man in the truck. They say he is short, heavy set, clean shaven with dark hair and a tattoo on his right forearm. The victim says he wore a blue shirt and drove a gold truck with four doors.

Investigators say the woman was taken to the hospital for evaluation.