Rape victim, witnesses fail to tag suspect in lineup

Witnesses and the woman who was raped at knifepoint in Garapan last month have so far failed to identify the suspect from several photos shown them by investigators, according to Public Safety Commissioner Ramon C. Mafnas yesterday.

“Several lineups were shown to the victim and witnesses with negative results,” he said at a news briefing on Capital Hill.

He said DPS continues in its effort to identify the suspect. Multiple canvassing operations have been conducted in several areas in Garapan, including the tourist concessions along the beachfronts, he added.

Mafnas disclosed that investigators have identified one more witness.

“Several video footages were obtained from business establishments to attempt to identify the suspect and the vehicle used in the crime,” he said.

Sgt. James C. Deleon Guerrero assured the victim and the community that DPS is not stopping with their investigation.

Deleon Guerrero disclosed that they do have reasons to believe that the suspect has been hanging out or stays within the hotel district of western Garapan.

Deleon Guerrero appealed to the public to call DPS or the Crime Stoppers Program if they saw a male individual wearing a gray sleeveless basketball jersey and walking in the hotel district on the evening of Jan. 28 from 6pm to 6am of Jan. 29.

“If able to identify the individual, please give us a call,” Guerrero said.

The suspect reportedly beat up and raped the victim, described as a 25-year-old Asian woman, inside her bedroom in western Garapan in the morning of Jan. 29. The suspect also tried to kidnap the victim by attempting to take her with him to his car at knifepoint, but she managed to escape by yelling for help.

The suspect was described as in his late teens to early 20’s, brown complexioned, very short hair, about 5’5” to 5’8” tall, and weighing 150 to 170 lbs.

The victim sustained some injuries.

According to police, a female caller contacted DPS on Jan. 29 at 6:06am and reported a disturbance at an apartment near Bud’s Bar.

Responding police officers arrived after two minutes. They saw the victim running toward them.

According to the victim, she was asleep when she was awakened by the suspect who entered her bedroom and physically and sexually assaulted her at knifepoint.

The suspect then attempted to take the victim with him to his car, but she shouted for help. Witnesses near the area came to her aid and called 911.

The suspect fled the scene in an older model yellowish gold Hyundai Accent four-door sedan.