Two years after a 12-year-old girl was raped, Renton Police are still searching for a suspect who is also linked to a 2009 home-invasion robbery with sexual motivation.
According to a Renton Police Department (RPD) press release, the department is asking for the public’s assistance in identifying a suspect connected to a 2023 Renton case, where the suspect raped a 12-year-old girl. According to RPD, a sketch they provided reflects the suspect’s appearance from a prior 2009 case.
The suspect is described as a Hispanic male, 5 feet 8 inches to 5 feet 10 inches tall, with a medium build, dark hair, and facial hair or stubble. RPD stated that the suspect would be about 15 years older today and that his appearance may have changed, including his hairstyle, facial hair, and the presence of wrinkles or glasses.
According to RPD, the suspect in the 2023 case matches previously unidentified DNA from a 2009 Seattle home-invasion robbery with sexual motivation. In that incident, the adult victim saw and spoke with the suspect long enough to help an artist create the composite sketch RPD provided.
The Seattle victim noted a scar on the side of the suspect’s mouth and believed he was around 30 years old at the time. RPD stated that the suspect spoke both Spanish and English, and both his victims were Hispanic.
“Detectives believe there are strong similarities between the two cases and are concerned there may be additional victims who have not yet come forward,” RPD stated. “They also believe it is unlikely the suspect stopped offending for the past 15 years.”
RPD stated that if anyone recognizes the suspect or has any information that might assist the investigation, contact Detective Liberty Billingsley at lbillingsley@rentonwa.gov.
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