A sexual assault and two attempted sex assaults by a knife-wielding assailant, including one this morning, may be related, Aurora police said today.
Detective Shannon Youngquist Lucy of the Aurora Police Department urged women to be cautious because of the suspect’s brazen tactics.
“All of these women were in their neighborhoods. One was walking a dog, one was using her cellphone and one was walking toward her residence,” said Lucy. “People normally feel secure in that situation. You can’t be paranoid all the time. But keep your eyes open and be on your toes.”
The first incident occurred in April. The second occurred on Aug. 15 and the latest happened today, according to Lucy.
Lucy said the April incident occurred near East Alameda Avenue and South Ironton Street, where the female victim was kidnapped and sexually assaulted in the suspect’s car.
The second and third incidents occurred in the area of East Iliff Avenue and South Peoria Street, about 2 miles from the April sexual assault.
On Aug. 15, a woman was accosted while sitting outside her residence. The victim resisted, and the suspect fled.
Early this morning, a woman was outside her residence when she was attacked. She, too, resisted, and the man fled.
The suspect is described as Latino or Middle Eastern and in his 20s or 30s. He is 5-foot-7 to 5-foot-10 inches tall and weighs 160 to 175 pounds.
In the April kidnapping and sexual assault, the suspect was driving a white or silver “boxy” vehicle that smelled of marijuana and cigarettes, according to Lucy. He was described as having a bald or shaved head and a mustache.
In the two Iliff Avenue-Peoria Street attacks, the assailant was described as having short dark hair and a Spanish or Middle Eastern accent.
In all three cases, the suspect threatened the women with a knife.
Lucy said investigators believe the incidents may be related because of three factors: The physical description of the assailant in each attack is similar; the close proximity of the attacks to each other; and threats with a knife in each incident.
She said that at this point, there is no indication the suspect stalked the victims before the attacks. She said the attacks could be “crimes of opportunity.”
She said that one of the victims was injured, although she declined to say how the injuries were inflicted.
The Aurora Police Department is offering up to $3,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the suspect.
Anyone with information or tips is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 303-913-7867 or Detective Ron Hahn at 303-739-6066.
Howard Pankratz: 303-954-1939 or hpankratz@denverpost.com
