DNA clues lead detectives to rape suspect

SANTA ANA – On Wednesday Santa Ana Family Crimes detectives arrested a 17-year-old boy for attempted rape from an incident that happened on January 2oth.

This police skletch was produced based on witness observations

According to Santa Ana Police, the crime occurred when, at 5:30 in the early evening, a woman parked her car at her home driveway. When she got out of her car, she was approached by a young hispanic man, who struck her face and forced her into the car. He reportedly held her down in the vehicle while he tore at her clothes and sexually assaulted her.

The woman fought back, screaming and honking the car’s horn. The woman’s adult daughter heard the commotion and came outside.  The assailant then fled on foot, carrying his skateboard, from the scene of the crime near the 1100 block of West 17th Street towards West 15th Street. A passer-by was alerted by the victim’s daughter, and confronted the youth as he fled on his skateboard. The young man then headed east on 15th, escaping without being captured.

The suspect fled down neighborhood streets, on foot and via skateboard

The witnesses and victim described the assailant as Hispanic, between 15 and 20-years-old, thin and with light acne on his face. He also had a long ponytail, “un-kept” hair, and was wearing black “skinny” jeans and a black hoodie. They were able to help police create a sketch of the suspect, which was released to the media.

Santa Ana Family Crimes Detectives examined evidence found at the scene, and found a DNA match to a known person who had a previous arrest. This match was not the actual assailant, but someone described as an acquaintance of his. This juvenile led detectives the the actual suspect, a 17-year-old who matched the description. While interviewed by the detectives, the suspect made incriminating statements. He was subsequently booked into Juvenile Hall on charges of attempted rape.

Read More:

CBS Los Angeles: Teen Allegedly Linked To Attempted Rape Through Acquaintance’s DNA

OC Register: Juvenile arrested in attempted-rape case