1 Arrested, 1 Outstanding In Connection With Sexual Assaults Of Massage Therapists
RIVERSIDE (CBSLA.com) — Police Thursday sought the public's help in identifying the second of two suspects wanted in a series of sexual assaults at massage parlors and day spas across the Southland.
Maurice Jennings, 34, of Corona was arrested Sept. 27 in connection with the crimes, police said.
"What our investigation revealed is that we thought we had one suspect who'd been committing all these crimes, but in reality, we had two who were very similar in appearance," Riverside Police Det. Rita Cobb told KNX1070. "Although we thank the public for being so persistent and diligent in giving us information that led us to Mr. Jennings, we're also asking for their assistance in identifying another man that's out there."
1 Suspect Arrested, 1 Outstanding In Connection With Sexual Assaults Of Massage Therapists
The Riverside Police Department held a press conference Sept. 25 initially seeking the public's assistance in identifying a serial rapist. Following Jennings arrest, authorities concluded his DNA did not match the evidence collected at all of the crime scenes.
"At the moment we have arrested one individual for two cases, and we are still looking for the individual who committed at five other ones," Cobb said.
The crimes, which police say involve as many as 25 victims, occurred in Riverside, San Bernardino and Los Angeles counties.
In one instance, a suspect chased a 55-year-old woman down a hallway, slammed her into a wall, dislocated her shoulder, knocked out five teeth, punched her and dragged her by her hair, authorities said.
"Mr. Jennings did not beat any of the females; he did sexually assault them. But the individual that we are looking for who brutally beat the 55-year-old is the DNA serial rapist," Cobb said.
Jennings was being held on $10 million bail.
Anyone with more information about the outstanding suspect or the alleged crimes was asked to contact the Riverside Police Department TIP Hotline at (951)353-7261. They can also call Detective Aurelio Melendrez at (951)353-7119, or Rita Cobb at (951)353-7120.
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