North Hollywood Detectives Arrest Sexual Assault Suspect NR09204jl

Los Angeles: A Fingerprint investigation has lead to the identification and arrest of a sexual assault suspect.

On March 26, 2009, an unidentified man was reported to have kidnapped a 24-year-old North Hollywood woman by hiding in the back of her unlocked vehicle, parked in the area of Kittridge Street and Lankershim Boulevard.  He then drove her to an abandoned apartment in the area of Kester Avenue and Sherman Way where he sexually assaulted her several times.  

North Hollywood Area detectives began an extensive investigation to identify the suspect.  The Los Angeles Police Department’s Scientific Investigation Division processed the crime scenes and extracted latent finger prints.  
On April 15, 2009, 26-year-old Edgar Alonzo Velasquez, a North Hollywood resident, was positively identified through a forensic print comparison.  On April 16, 2009, Velasquez was arrested and multiple felony counts were filed, including kidnapping, sexual assault and  residential burglary.  

Detectives are seeking the public’s help in locating other possible victims in this investigation, and a photo of the suspect is being provided in the dissemination of this release.

Anyone with information regarding this investigation is asked to contact Los Angeles Police Department North Hollywood Detectives Crawford or Clifford at 818-623-4090.  During off-hours, calls may be directed to a 24-hour, toll-free number at 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (527-3247).  Callers may also text “Crimes” with a cell phone or log on to www.lapdonline.org and click on Web tips. When using a cell phone, all messages should begin with “LAPD.”  Tipsters may remain anonymous.