DNA Samples Lead to Suspect in Unsolved 2013 Sexual Assault

A DNA sample has linked a man already in custody for a sexual assault to an unsolved sexual assault from 2013, Richmond police said today. Julio Rodriguez, a 31-year-old San Pablo resident, was identified as a suspect in the December 2013 case after he gave a DNA sample while in custody that matched those from the earlier attack.

The 2013 attack occurred while the victim was walking on the walkway behind the Target store at 4500 MacDonald Avenue from San Pablo Avenue, according to police. The suspect approached her from behind near the tunnel under the Interstate Highway 80 freeway and pressed a knife into her.

He pulled her into a ditch, where he sexually assaulted her, and then forced her up a small hill to a secluded area and continued the attack. The suspect robbed the victim of her backpack and cellphone before allowing her to leave. She walked to a friend’s house and went to a hospital for treatment of her injuries, where the attack was reported.

Rodriguez has been held to answer on the 2013 attack and his bail has been raised to $1 million, police said Friday.

By Bay City News

Photo via Shutterstock

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