Man charged in rape, robbery of woman near BART station

A Berkeley man has been charged with rape in connection with an attack on a woman near the North Concord BART Station, according to the Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office.

The DA’s office said it has charged Larry Dean Ridge Jr., 44, with a three-count felony complaint for forcible rape, assault and second-degree robbery. On Thursday, Ridge pleaded not guilty at his arraignment on the charges, which include special allegations for prior serious or violent felonies in another county, the DA’s office said.

Ridge previously was convicted on charges of second-degree murder and attempted murder stemming from an incident in April 2004, according to a criminal complaint reviewed by the Chronicle.

He remains in custody at the Martinez Detention Facility, and his bail was set at $1.25 million, the DA’s office said. His next court hearing is scheduled for April 22.

The incident occurred around 6:30 p.m. last Monday along a pedestrian/bike trail near the station. The woman was walking when Ridge pushed the victim to the ground and raped her, the DA’s office said. The victim struck Ridge, who also had grabbed her purse and stole her cellphone and wallet, according to the DA’s office. Ridge left the purse and fled toward the station after the incident, prosecutors said.

A witness to the incident helped the woman back to the station and a station agent called 911, the DA’s office said. Shortly after, Concord police officers located and detained Ridge, who had fled on a BART train, according to the DA’s office.

He was arrested when the victim and witness identified him as the suspect.