A 15-year-old was taken into custody after allegedly admitting to the “brutal” rape of a 31-year-old woman in Renton on May 29, near Liberty Park. The woman is now at home recuperating, according to police.
He is confirmed as one of the two men photographed at the Rainier Fred Meyer in an earlier police press release, who police knew were in possession of the victim’s phone, stolen during the attack.
“We got a bunch of different tips on the names of both those individuals,” Renton Police Department Cmdr. Dave Leibman said.
But when police obtained video evidence of the suspect and victim in Seattle, they saw the person on the left in the footage, who was not the original main suspect.
Through different video sources, Leibman said, they tracked the victim and suspect traveling to Renton, to the crime scene, and then there was the footage that captured him allegedly “beating and raping the unconcsious woman for an hour.”
Leibman said it was a combination of private and public video footage.
Then a search warrant served at a Renton residence showed several pieces of evidence that “tied him directly to the attack,” according to Leibman.
The suspect was arrested the evening of June 6, according to police. That’s when police showed the suspect the evidence.
“Once he saw the evidence, and heard what we had to say, he admitted to the crime,” Leibman said.
The suspect and other person in the previously released footage were both interviewed earlier in the week and released pending further investigation.
No further information on the suspect will be released, due to him being a minor.
The suspect was booked into the King County Youth Center for investigation of rape of the first degree and assault of the first degree. Additional charges may be made.
Leibman said the Renton Police Department will now collect additional evidence to put together, then give it to King County Prosecutor’s Office.
Leibman called this an extremely rare type of case.
“Especially where it was a stranger rape, we just don’t see this thing happening very often,” Leibman said. “Best thing people can do is be aware of their surroundings, and if they feel uncomfortable or see something suspicious, get themselves to an area where there are other people present and call 911 for assistance.”
Co-workers of the survivor of the attack have set up a Facebook page where people can donate money to help pay her rent while she is unable to work “due to the mental, emotional and physical abuse she endured,” according to the page. The link is available here.
One such coworker, Mirika Marx, stated that all the proceeds go directly to the survivor. So far, they’ve raised $420 out of the $1,500 goal.
“I really appreciate everyone’s kindness. I’ve never done a (fundraiser) so I didn’t know what to expect,” Marx stated in a message.
