Police Make Arrest in Arlington Sex Assaults Case

PHOTO: Melvin Perez Bonilla, 19; Arlington County Police photo; sketch of suspect

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The Arlington County Police Department arrested and charged a 19 year-old subject early Wednesday with two counts of attempted abduction with the intent to defile for his role in multiple sexual assault incidents.

Melvin Perez Bonilla, 19, of Arlington is currently being held without bond in the Arlington County Detention Facility.

Bonilla confessed to multiple sexual assault attempts in the county during questioning at police headquarters and is believed to be responsible for a similar attack that occurred in August. Police are awaiting DNA analysis results from the state lab for that incident for confirmation of his involvement.

• The initial attack occurred July 25 in the 1900 block of N. Scott Street at approximately 1:20 a.m. as the 25 year-old victim was walking alone in the Clarendon area.
• A second attack took place August 8 in the 1900 block of N. Highland Street at approximately 2:45 a.m. as a 29 year-old year victim was walking alone.
• A third attack occurred on Sept. 29 in the 1200 block of N. Quincy Street at approximately 10:20 p.m. on a 23 year-old female victim as she was walking home.

The victims in each of these attacks assisted detectives by providing details of the events and the description of their assailant. A composite sketch based upon a victims’ description had previously been released.

Detectives assigned to the Special Victims Unit and investigators assigned to the Tactical Unit worked with Metro Transit Police to obtain surveillance video and other information to identify the suspect. Tactical Unit officers took Bonilla into custody when they observed him exiting a Metro Bus in the Courthouse area early Wednesday.

“Our officers have taken a dangerous individual off the streets and the community should feel a little safer knowing he is behind bars,” comments Daniel J. Murray, Deputy Chief of Criminal Investigations Division for Arlington County Police Department.

Police have not said if other incidents are part of the case.

Here are the dates, times and locations of the other possibly linked attacks, according to police:

• Friday, Aug. 21, 8:07 p.m., 400 block of George Mason Drive near Lubber Run Park
• Thursday, Aug. 13, 10:30 p.m., 800 block of S. Frederick Street
• Saturday, Aug. 1, 11:26 p.m.: 4300 block of N. Pershing Drive
• Friday, July 31, 8:45 p.m.: Glencarlyn Park area of the Washington & Old Dominion Trail

Anyone who has information regarding these incidents or concerning Bonilla is asked to call Detective Icolari at 703.228.4240 or email ricolari@arlingtonva.us. To report information anonymously, contact the Arlington County Crime Solvers at 866.411.TIPS (8477).