15-Year-Old Accused In Hammond Mother's Murder, 2 Rapes

HAMMOND, IN — A 15-year-old boy has been arrested in connection with the Aug. 22 murder of a young mother of three children, as well as two recent rapes in northwest Indiana, Hammond police said Monday. Due to his age, authorities have not released the teenager's name, but said he is a suspect in the murder of 25-year-old Lucia Gonzalez, who was found dead last week in her Hammond Home.

Police said DNA recovered from two rape victims is a match for the same suspect. On Aug. 18, police urged residents to stay alert after two young women were raped within weeks of each other while walking in the Hessville area. One victim was just 14 years old, the Chicago Tribune reported.

"Both female victims were out walking when they were approached by a young, black male," police said in a statement. "They were both forced into an alley and raped. Today, our streets are safe from this violent individual."

Police said the DNA match was confirmed by the Indiana State Police lab, and police expect the Lake County juvenile prosecutor's office to file charges soon. The teen is in custody at the Lake County Juvenile Center in Crown Point.

The same teen is a suspect in the death of Gonzalez, found stabbed to death in her kitchen a week ago. "At this time, we believe our suspect in the rapes is also our prime suspect in the homicide of Ms. Gonzalez," police said.

During a press conference on Monday, Hammond Police Captain Ezequiel Hinojosa said the 15-year-old boy was found with stolen items that tied him to Gonzalez' murder, according to the Chicago Tribune.

Photo: Hammond Police Chief John D. Doughty speaks during an Aug. 28 press conference announcing an arrest in two rapes and a murder that police believe are related.