Sexual abuse of Tucson girl leads to one arrest; three other men sought
How do you become a silent witness?
What is a silent witness and how do you become one?
The Republic
Tucson police on Thursday announced the arrest of a man and the manhunt for three other people in connection with the sexual assault of a 13-year-old girl in April, according to the Tucson Police Department.
On April 1, a 13-year-old girl traveling on a Sun Tran bus in downtown Tucson was lured off the bus by an older man, according to Tucson police. The man persuaded the girl to go to his home near Fort Lowell and Country Club roads, officials said.
At home, the girl reportedly ingested an unknown substance that rendered her unconscious. Hours later, she woke up to find herself surrounded by the man and others who had sexually assaulted her, police said.
The victim was able to escape after all the men left the house and reported the attack to police the next day, officials said.
On July 31, Tucson police arrested a 50-year-old man at his home near the corner of Wilmot Road and 22nd Street after identifying him through forensic evidence and subsequent interviews as one of the men who attacked the victim.
According to police, the suspect’s 70-year-old father was also involved in the attack. An arrest warrant has been issued against him.
According to Tucson police, police were also looking for two other men who were believed to be involved in the robbery.
One of the men was described, according to police, as a white man between the ages of 30 and 40 with a muscular build and blue eyes. The other was described as a Hispanic man between the ages of 20 and 30 with braids, dark eyes and a slim build.
Police used surveillance camera footage and statements from the victim to trace the bus route and ultimately the house where the victim was taken. Tucson police said they used a search warrant to obtain evidence from the house.
The 50-year-old man was charged with sexual abuse of a minor and booked into a Pima County jail, according to Tucson police. He was being held on $500,000 bail.
Tucson police asked anyone with information on any of the suspects to call 88-CRIME or Crime Stoppers at 520-837-7529. Tips and information can be submitted anonymously.
The Arizona Republic does not name people accused of crimes unless it plans to report on their criminal cases in court.
