Stafford Man Charged In July 3 Sexual Assault May Be Charged In 2 Other Attacks

FAIRFAX COUNTY, VA — Fairfax County Police arrested 20-year-old Hien The Dinh of Stafford in connection with a sexual battery incident that occurred Monday morning in Chantilly.

Police are also working to determine if Dihn is responsible for two earlier sexual assaults, one in Chantilly and another on Northern Virginia Community College's campus in Loudoun County.

"Three women in Northern Virginia, two in Fairfax County and one in Loudoun County, over the last couple of months were traumatized as victims in sexual batteries," Police Chief Kevin Davis said during a news conference on Friday morning at Public Safety Headquarters. "They were bold. They were brazen. They were in daylight."

Fairfax detectives began their investigation on May 18, when a man broke into an apartment in the 14500 block of Iberia Circle in Chantilly. The suspect attempted to sexually assault a female resident, but she resisted and he fled the scene.

The next incident took place on Monday in the 14500 block of Northeast Place in Chantilly. Just after 11:30 a.m., the suspect approached the victim and violently grabbed her intimate parts, before placing her in a chokehold and then fleeing the area.

"Detectives quickly found surveillance footage of the suspect coming into the neighborhood and leaving the neighborhood," said Lt. Erin Weeks, during the news conference. "It was disseminated to officers generally, as well as locally and to the community."

Reviewing the surveillance video further, investigators identified a suspicious vehicle that appeared to have been following the victim in a nearby shopping center.

Police were able to link the vehicle to Dinh and on Thursday afternoon tracked it to an industrial park in the 3900 block of Stonecroft Boulevard. With the assistance of the Fugitive Track and Apprehension Team, police were able to take Dihn into custody.

Police charged Dihn with abduction with the intention to defile and sexual battery in connection with Monday's attack on Northeast Place. Ding may face further charges for the other Chantilly assault, as well as the Loudoun County incident.

"For the May 10 case with the NOVA Police Department, we were able to tie him to that case through surveillance footage with our May 18 case," Weeks said. "We are still actively investigating that case. We do have leads to follow up on and we are confident that we will be able to charge."

Police ask anyone with information about any of the assaults to contact FCPD's Major Crimes Bureau at 703-246-7800, option 3. Anonymous tips can also be submitted through Crime Solvers by phone – 1-866-411-TIPS (866-411-8477), and by web Click HERE. Anonymous tipsters are eligible for cash rewards.

Victim specialists from our Major Crimes Bureau’s Victim Services Division have been assigned to ensure the victims are receiving appropriate resources and assistance. Anyone who believes they may have been a victim of Dihn are also encouraged to contact police.