sexual assault

Police Release Surveillance Images From August Sex Assault

By ARLnow.com

Arlington police have released surveillance images of a man suspected in a robbery, abduction and sexual assault in South Arlington.

Police say the man forced his way into a hotel room and restrained two women: a mother and daughter who were visiting from Canada. He sexually assaulted the daughter, who was in her 50s, and then stole electronics and cash as he left.

“The suspect is described as an African American male approximately 40 years old, 5’8″ and 180 lbs,” police said in a statement. “He appeared unshaven and was wearing a grey t-shirt with a design on it, tan cargo shorts, white shoes and a black baseball cap.”

The release of the images comes almost three months after the crime, which occurred on Aug. 14 at the Best Western hotel on South Glebe Road.

It took a while for detectives to track down the victims in Canada and make a positive identification on the suspect, police spokesperson Det. Crystal Nosal told ARLnow.com.

See additional surveillance photos here.

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Arlington Jury Hears Rape Victim’s Story — A 23-year-old University of Maryland graduate student took the witness stand yesterday in the trial of former Henderson Hall Marine Jorge “George” Torrez. The woman described the night in February when she was abducted while walking home with a friend in the Ballston area, then repeatedly raped and left for dead in a remote, wooded area. More from the Washington Post.

Solar Raisers Install First System — Volunteers organized by Arlingtonians for a Clean Environment helped install a solar water heating system at a home in south Arlington’s Claremont neighborhood over the weekend. The system reduces water heating energy use by 75 percent. The installation was the first in ACE’s Solar Raisers initiative. More from the Sun Gazette.

DARPA Conference to Discuss ‘Pre-Crime’ System — The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency is trying to develop a system that would use powerful analytical tools to determine if a soldier is becoming homicidal or suicidal, or if an intelligence operator is about to turn double agent. Next week, DARPA will be holding a conference in Arlington to educate contractors about the development process for such a system. The publication Government Computer News compares such a system to the “pre-crime” technology in the Tom Cruise film “Minority Report.”

Possible Attempted Sex Assault in Williamsburg

By ARLnow.com

Update at 12:20 p.m. — Police have provided more details and this sounds more like mischief than malevolence. The suspect touched the girl’s rear end, then mooned her and her companion before running away, police say.

We’re hearing that police are investigating an attempted sex assault that occurred just before 1:00 last night in the Williamsburg neighborhood of north Arlington.

According to initial reports, a man in his late teens or early 20s dropped his pants and then grabbed the victim, a 17-year-old girl.

It happened at the intersection of North Tacoma Street and Williamsburg Blvd. A police K-9 was brought in to try to track the subject — no word yet on whether any arrests have been made.

Police Investigate Sexual Assault and Robbery at Hotel

By ARLnow.com

A late-night knock on the door led to a robbery and sexual assault in a south Arlington hotel room, according to information released by police today.

On Saturday night, investigators say a man knocked on the door of a hotel room at the Best Western (2480 South Glebe Road). When one of the two women who were inside the room at the time opened the door, the man forced his way in. He sexually assaulted one of the women then made off with electronics and money, according to a police statement.

Update on 8/19 — Fox 5 reports that the victims were a mother and daughter — in their 50s and 70s — visiting from Canada.

From the press release:

The suspect is described as an African American male approximately 40 years old, 5’8″ and 180 lbs. He appeared unshaven and was wearing a grey t-shirt with a design on it, tan cargo shorts, white shoes and a black baseball cap.

Anyone who has information about this robbery or the identity of the suspect is asked to call the Detective Donald Fortunato of the Arlington County Police Department at (703) 228-4197.  Det. Fortunato can also be reached by email at [email protected].

Witnesses can also call Arlington County Crime Solvers at 866-411-TIPS (8477).  Crime Solvers offers a reward of up to $1,000 for information leading to an arrest.  Callers to Crime Solvers do not have to give their names and do not need to testify in court.

Charges Dropped Against Original Illinois Murder Suspect

By ARLnow.com

It’s looking increasingly likely that Jorge Torrez will face charges in connection with the murder of two young girls in Zion, Ill. back in 2005, a case that captivated Chicago and made national news at the time.

Charges were dropped today against the man who was originally accused of the crime. Jerry Hobbs, who confessed to the gruesome murders but later said the confession was coerced, has been released from prison, according to Chicago Breaking News.

Lake County, Ill. prosecutors are expected to hold a press conference later this morning to discuss “new information” in the case. That information is likely revolve around Jorge Torrez, a former Marine currently being held in Arlington on charges of abduction and rape.

DNA evidence in the case reportedly linked Torrez to the murders last month. Torrez used to live in Zion and was close friends with the older brother of one of the victims.

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Illinois Prosecutor to Address Arlington-Linked Murder Case — Arlington rape suspect Jorge Torrez may learn today whether he will face additional scrutiny in the case of a five-year-old double murder in his former hometown. The Lake County, Ill. State’s Attorney is scheduled to hold a press conference this morning with “new information” about the case. Another man, Jerry Hobbs, has been held awaiting trial for the murders since 2005. But DNA evidence in the case was reportedly linked to Torrez last month.

Man Falls at Construction Site — A worker suffered serious injuries after falling at the Adams Square construction site on Columbia Pike around 3:30 yesterday afternoon. He was taken a local hospital and is expected to recover.

Arlington Sidewalks Debated — Greater Greater Washington brings up the issue of sidewalks in Arlington. Are there too few sidewalks in the residential sections of our ‘walkable community?’

Flickr pool photo by patrycehaltiwangerphillips.

Police Seek Man Who Sexually Assaulted Girl Outside Laundromat

By ARLnow.com

Arlington County Police are searching for a man suspected of sexually assaulting a seven-year-old girl outside a South Arlington laundromat on Sunday.

Police say the man approached the girl while her mother was inside the laundromat at 3600 Columbia Pike.

“The suspect pulled the child inside a small play house and sexually assaulted her,” police said in a statement. “The child was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.”

The man is described as Hispanic, 5’1″, 130 lbs, with brown eyes, bushy black hair and a mustache. Police will be canvasing the area around the laundromat today, handing out flyers with the suspect’s sketch and information about the crime.

Anyone with information about the suspect should call Arlington County Crime Solvers at 866-411-TIPS (8477). A reward of up to $1,000 is being offered in the case.

DEVELOPING — DNA Links Marine Charged in Arlington Rape to Chicago Murders

By ARLnow.com

Jorge “George” Torrez, a Marine who’s being held at the Arlington County Detention Center on charges of abduction and rape, has been linked via DNA to a double homicide outside Chicago, his attorney confirmed to ARLnow.com today.

Attorney Denman Rucker said he was contacted by investigators but had no further information about how the DNA test was performed or whether the test was “legitimate.”

The crime that Torrez is being linked to occurred in 2005.

Laura Hobbs and Krystal Tobias, ages 8 and 9, were found repeatedly stabbed in a park in the lakeside city of Zion, Ill. Jerry Hobbs, Laura’s, confessed to the crime after a 20-hour interrogation, but later said the confession of coerced, according to the Chicago Tribune.

Prosecutors pressed the case against Hobbs despite the fact that his DNA did not match semen found on one of the girls’ body and clothing. He has been held in jail for five years. The DNA was matched to a new suspect last month, prosecutors told the Tribune.

Torrez’s sister, who lives in Zion, says investigators told her that evidence points to her brother. Sara Torrez says Jorge, 21, was friends with Tobias’ brother, but says she believes her brother is innocent.

So far, Torrez has not been charged in connection with the murders. Arlington County authorities have been alerted to the DNA link and are following the case.

In Illinois, meanwhile, a court hearing that may result in Hobbs’ release has been set for July 21.

The Zion murders achieved infamy in Chicago and received national media attention. In an 2005 interview with Greta Van Susteren of Fox News Channel, Lake County, Ill. prosecutor Michael Waller defended the prosecution of Hobbs even though there were inconsistencies with his confession.

“It’s not unusual to have a defendant give untruths in a statement where he admits his guilt. It’s something we deal with all the time,” he said.

Waller also explained why Sheila Hollabaugh, the mother of Laura Hobbs, maintained that her boyfriend was innocent.

“It’s not unusual for the girlfriend or the wife to stick with the defendant,” Waller said. “If that happens in this case, you know, I won’t be surprised.”

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Metro Fares Going Up This Morning — Metrorail riders will start paying an extra 20 cents during this morning’s rush hour. Starting today, the peak base fare is increasing from $1.75 to $1.95. On Sunday, riders started paying $1.60 for the off-peak base fare, up from $1.45. Metrobus fares have also increased. More from Fox 5.

Pentagon Shooting Heroes Honored — The Pentagon police officers who stopped the Pentagon Metro Station shooter received the Medal of Valor from the Department of Defense on Friday. Officers Marvin Carraway, Jr. and Jeffery Amos, who were shot by 36-year-old John Patrick Bedell in the attack, were honored alongside officers Dexter Jones and Colin Richards, who also who helped to stop Bedell from entering the Pentagon on the night of March 4. More from WUSA 9.

Big Spenders, Big Collectors — Arlington County collects more per resident and spends more per resident than any other locality in Virginia, the Washington Examiner reports. On average, Arlington collects $4,240 per person and spends $4,209 per person. On a per capita basis, Arlington outspends every other Virginia locality on fire and rescue services, parks and recreation, and social services.

Marine Charged With Rape — A Marine charged in the abduction of an Arlington woman has been formally charged in the abduction and rape of another. Jorge “George” Torrez, 21, has been the prime suspect in the February 27 crime, but is only now being charged after detectives were able to link him to the case. Torrez, who was based at Fort Myer-Henderson Hall, now faces 14 charges including abduction with intent to defile, forcible sodomy, and the use of a firearm in the commission of a felony.

Flickr pool photo by Chris Rief.

Pool House Sex Assault Suspect May Have Struck Again

By ARLnow.com

Arlington Police believe a man who assaulted a woman in her apartment complex’s pool house may have struck again just before 11:00 Friday night.

Investigators say a 5’7″ Hispanic man grabbed a woman from behind as she was walking behind a restaurant on the 2000 block of Wilson Boulevard in Courthouse. The man restrained the woman as he touched her sexually. She fought back and eventually got away.

The attack was similar in nature to an assault that occurred in the pool house of a Rosslyn apartment complex on May 8, police said. The victim of that assault was able to fight off her attacker, who she also described as a 5’7″ Hispanic male.

The composite image seen here was generated after the May 8 assault.

Anyone with information about either incident is asked to call the Arlington Police Tip Line at 703-228-4242. Witnesses can also call Arlington County Crime Solvers at 866-411-TIPS (8477).

Police Investigate Pool House Sexual Assault

By ARLnow.com

It was late — 3:45 a.m. on Saturday morning — on North Scott Street in Rosslyn.

The woman had just walked into her apartment complex’s pool house to use the bathroom. That’s when police say a man confronted her, forced her to the ground and allegedly tried to put his hand down her pants.

She fought back, struggled with the suspect, and eventually he ran off.

Now, police are asking for the public’s help in finding him.

Investigators released a composite rendering of the suspect (left).

He is described as a white Hispanic male in his early 20’s, about 5’7″ and 160 lbs with short dark hair. He was wearing a black chef’s style jacket with white lettering on the chest, police said.

If you recognize the man, you’re asked to call the Arlington Police Tip Line at 703-228-4242. Witnesses can also call Arlington County Crime Solvers at 866-411-TIPS (8477).

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