Arheel's Uncle
Senior Reporter
Tempe police arrest sexual assault suspect
Police say 24-year-old Ekwunze Job Owen Jr. was the man who sexually assaulted a 91-year-old woman in October.
www.azcentral.com
Tempe police arrest sexual assault suspect
Agnel Philip and Tyler FingertThe Republic | azcentral.com
2014
A TRUE PREDATOR, police say IN VIDEO
Police announced early Wednesday morning that they've taken into custody a suspected sexual predator accused in a series of incidents in Tempe and Mesa, including the sexual assault of a 91-year-old Tempe woman last month.
Lt. Michael Pooley, a spokesman for the Tempe Police Department, said authorities arrested
24-year-old Ekwunze Job "E.J." Owen Jr. around midnight near the 1200 block of east Apache Blvd.
He allegedly broke into a woman's home near University and Priest drives on Saturday. Pooley said the attacker fled after the woman screamed for help.
Owen is also suspected in at least three indecent-exposure incidents in Mesa since 2012.
During the course of the investigation into the break-in, police found security footage from a local convenience store matching the description provided to officers. Police were able to use a photo lineup where area residents chose Owen as the suspect.
"This guy was an opportunist he knocked on doors in the area asking people use their phone," said Frank Milstead, Mesa Police chief.
Police tracked down Owen and ran a rapid DNA test which linked him to the outstanding investigations and the sexual assault. Milstead said Owens is suspected of committing a progression of sexual crimes, starting with being a peeping tom on the way to the sexual assault.
Mesa Police had several incidents on record involving Owen since January 2012, but hadn't been unable to link DNA left at some of the scenes until now.
Officials are asking anyone who may have had previous contact with Owen to contact police.
"This was a joint effort and hats off to law enforcement for a job well done," said Tom Ryff, Tempe Police chief.