SUSPECT IN PAST SEXUAL ASSAULTS ARRESTED IN TEXAS

“RIVERSIDE, CA – This past July of 2021, the Riverside Police Department’s Sexual Assault – Child Abuse Unit (SACA) began an investigation after a female teenager disclosed a former school classmate had sexually assaulted her almost three years ago.

She and the suspect attended Martin Luther King High School in Riverside and the alleged crimes occurred multiple times during the 2018-2019 school year when the suspect was in his senior year. During their investigation, detectives learned of a second victim classmate who came forward with similar allegations, along with a third victim who disclosed the suspect sexually assaulted her in 2019.

Recently, an arrest warrant was obtained and issued for 20-year-old Thailar Patterson for numerous sexual assault violations, including an enhancement for multiple victim sexual assault.

With assistance from our METRO Team as part of their participation on the U.S. Marshals Pacific Southwest Regional Fugitive Task Force, the suspect was discovered to be living in Texarkana, Texas. On Friday, November 12, 2021, Thailar Patterson was located and arrested on the outstanding warrant, then extradited back to Riverside County and booked into the Robert Presley Detention Center for the arrest warrant on Monday, November 22nd.

SACA Detectives believe there may be others who were victimized by Thailar Patterson, or may have additional information regarding these sexual assaults, who have not yet come forward. Anyone with information regarding this ongoing investigation and arrest is urged to contact Detective Melissa Brazil at (951) 353-7950 or MBrazil@RiversideCA.gov.”