Crime & Safety

Police Ask Sexual Assault Victims to Come Forward

Investigators believe man targets women online.

The Arlington County Police Department is asking anyone who believes he or she has witnessed or been the victim of a recent sexual assault to come forward.

Police are building a case against a man they say is known to contact his victims through Internet sites and online advertisements.

Investigators believe his most recent attack happened Jan. 19 in a Crystal City hotel room. The man hired a female escort through an online ad, and when she arrived at the hotel room, he forced her to stay and perform sexual acts against her will, .

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The suspect is described as a black man between 35 and 45 years old, between 5 feet, 7 inches tall and 5 feet, 9 inches tall, and weighing between 160 and 180 pounds.

Investigators hope to be able to release a photo as the man soon, said police spokesman Dustin Sternbeck.

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At this point, police do not want the photo disseminated until the victim can pick him out of a photo lineup, Sternbeck said. The victim is currently in Florida. Police hope to have her view a lineup in the next week.

Investigators are asking anyone who believes they have information on this man -- including possible victims -- to call the Arlington County Police Department at 703-558-2222 or Detective Saundra Lafley at 703-228-4052. Lafley can also be reached at slafley@arlingtonva.us.


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