A suspect is in custody on suspicion of the “brutal and horrifying” rapes of two women in northern Virginia, according to Fairfax County police.
Police announced Monday that Kevin Lopez Altan, 24, of Annandale, was arrested in connection with a kidnapping and sexual assault that occurred at an Annandale business.
Police say López-Altan is accused of sexually assaulting a 59-year-old woman at his store in Annandale and a 20-year-old woman on the campus of Northern Virginia Community College.
On March 20, officers reported a kidnapping and sexual assault at a business in Annandale. An adult female employee reported that a Hispanic male in his 20s to 30s attempted to enter the store at approximately 11 a.m., but the suspect was refused entry at that time.
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Fairfax County police announced Monday that an Annandale man is in custody on suspicion of the “brutal and horrific” rapes of two women in northern Virginia. (Fairfax County Police Department)
The victim told police the suspect tried to enter the store again about 10 minutes later, but was again denied entry. Police reported that on the suspect’s third attempt, he forced his way into the store and physically and sexually assaulted the victim. The victim eventually ran away and called 911.
Detectives immediately began investigating the attack and were able to gather a “vast amount” of evidence.
As the investigation progressed, detectives learned that another sexual assault had been reported at Northern Virginia Community College on Thursday. The victim was attacked by a man, but was able to fight him off and escape.
Police said at a news conference that López-Altan has a criminal history, which police are aware of. A Northern Virginia Community College employee who was able to quickly identify the suspect had previously interacted with the suspect while working as a sheriff’s deputy in the area.
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According to Fairfax County Police, Lopez-Altan is accused of sexually assaulting a 59-year-old self-employed woman from Annandale and a 20-year-old woman on the campus of Northern Virginia Community College. (Fairfax County Police Department)
“He was certainly known to law enforcement, but not to the wider public,” Fairfax County Police Chief Kevin Davis said. “Therefore, this Northern Virginia Community College police officer was absolutely instrumental in unraveling this case based on his recollection of this assailant while employed as a sheriff’s deputy. There’s no way it’s not worth paying attention to.”
Chief Davis said the incident was alarming and the nature of the crime was “horrifying”.
“We believe he absolutely, without a doubt, would have hit him again. We know that from how he interacted with detectives. I know it from his demeanor and temperament. I would be shocked if he didn’t have other victims left in him.” That’s why we intentionally want to seek information about him from people who knew him,” Davis said. “These two acts were so brazen, so bold, so audacious that it’s hard to believe he had never attacked before.”
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On Saturday, detectives charged López-Altan with 10 felonies, including three counts of rape, three counts of forcible sodomy, sexual penetration of an object, kidnapping for corrupt purposes, robbery and strangulation.
“He is the embodiment of evil. His attacks on women are brutal. His attacks on women are unrelenting. And the fact that we were able to stop him from carrying out his criminal acts literally time and time again is a testament to local law enforcement. That’s the mission of the agency. And we’re proud that we were able to handcuff him, but we can’t begin to explain away criminal misconduct like his. Wicked, criminal misconduct. ” Davis said. “What he did was beyond words.”
Police said López-Altan is being held without any bond.
“We took a giant predator off the streets. If you want to see pure evil, look at Kevin Lopez-Altan’s photo,” Davis said.
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Police added that so far it appears López-Altan chose his victims at random. They said there is no indication at this time that he has other victims, but anyone with information should contact Fairfax County Police at 703-691-2131.
