Police Charged A Fairfax Man After A Girl Was Assaulted Inside Chantilly High School

CHANTILLY, VA — Fairfax County Police arrested a 22-year-old Fairfax man in connection with the recent sexual assault of a girl inside Chantilly High School, according to a department blog post.

Officers responded around 8 a.m. on Sept. 27 to the school, which is located at 4201 Stringfellow Road, after telling police her daughter had been assaulted two hours earlier.

An investigation revealed that a man wearing a mask entered the school earlier that morning alongside students. The victim was approached by the man, whom she thought was another student. While the man engaged the victim in conversation, he unlawfully touched her, according to police. When other students approached them, the victim was able to free herself. She contacted her mother and then went home.

The victim's mother contacted police, who searched the area around the school. They were able to locate Galata Bekele Bengessa of Fairfax, who was on foot near Route 50 and Fairfax County Parkway. Police say he was positively identified as the offender in the case.

During the process of arresting Bekele Bengessa, the suspect told police details that led them to take him to a nearby hospital to be treated.

On Wednesday night, police charged Bekele Bengessa with abduction by force, sexual battery and trespassing on school property. They then transported him to the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center. Police were also able to link Bekele Bengessa to two additional victims who had reported similar encounters with the suspect. In those cases, the incidents took place away from school property.

Police ask anyone with information about this case or who may have information about similar incidents involving unlawful contact with Bekele Bengessa to call the Major Crimes Bureau at 703-246-7800, option 3. Anonymous tips may also be submitted online via Fairfax County Crime Solvers or by calling 1-866-411-TIPS (8477). Tips can also be submitted using the Fairfax Crime Solvers app and texting "FCCS" and the message 847411. An anonymous that leads to an arrest is eligible for a cash reward up to $1,000.