Alexandria Man Sentenced For Disturbing Rape On Walking Trail

ALEXANDRIA, VA—An Alexandria man sentenced for a 2012 rape has been brought to justice for another disturbing incident on the Four Mile Run trail in Arlington five years ago.

On July 3, 2012, the 23-year-old female victim was jogging on the trail when approached by the suspect she had passed minutes earlier. He pulled out a knife, dragged her off the trail and raped her, prosecutors say. The suspect fled in and unknown direction and the victim went to a local hospital.

The 2012 case had been unsolved until new evidence came to light in another sexual assault. On January 12, 2016, a female escort was at a motel in the 3000 block of Columbia Pike when two suspects knocked on the door, entered and sexually assaulted her. A police officer took them into custody, and evidence testing linked this incident to the 2012 rape.

Elmer Umberto Lopez-Velasquez, 39, of Alexandria was sentenced to 23 years in prison for the 2012 case in Arlington County Circuit Court this week. He pleaded guilty to rape by force/threat and strangulation wound/injury, according to Arlington court records. He previously pleaded guilty to rape by force/threat, robbery and armed burglary charges, receiving 10 years in prison for the 2016 case.

“This case brought to justice a serial sexual predator…and it’s a powerful demonstration of how intrepid victims, dogged police efforts, and dedicated prosecutors make the difference and help secure our community," said Arlington County Commonwealth’s Attorney Theophani K. Stamos in a statement.

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Image via Arlington County Commonwealth's Attorney