Sheriffs On Lookout For Attempted Rape Suspect

In a breaking story this morning, Tuolumne County Sheriffs deputies are continuing to look for a man wanted for questioning in connection with attempted rape, false imprisonment and vehicle theft early this morning.

Sheriff spokesman Lt. John Steely said the suspect, 32 year-old Michael Shell, released from Sierra Conservation Center yesterday, is wanted for questioning.

Steely says Shell was picked-up by the victim yesterday and taken to her house in the Crystal Falls Drive area. The assault took place around 1 a.m.

Steely says authorities believe Shell is a friend of the victim’s family in some way. Details are not clear on that, he said. The victim was planning on taking Shell to the bus stop today, Steely said.

Shell was last seen in a stolen dark green 4-door Nissan Ultima with possible front-end damage and a California license plate of 3MKX362.

Shell is white, 5-foot-6-inches, and 200-pounds with a shaved head. If you have any information, contact the sheriffs department. Authorities say he is not familiar with the area and is probably headed to Southern California.