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El Cajon PD Press Releases>
Identification of Serial Sex Offender
May 2, 2008
TYPE OF INCIDENT: Identification of Serial Sex Offender
DATE AND TIME OCCURRED: 5-1-08
LOCATION OF OCCURRENCE: 1100-1200 Block of E. Main, El Cajon
SUSPECT: Israel Mendez, 2-7-83
SUSPECT DESCRIPTION: Hispanic Male
5’8”, 210
Heavy build
Short hair, similar to military style
RESUME OF INCIDENT:
On 3-27-08 a female was kidnapped from the 1200 block of E. Main Street in El Cajon, taken to a secluded area and sexually assaulted. On 4-1-08 Israel Mendez, 2-7-83, was arrested for the kidnapping and sexual assault.
Detective Bob Berger was assigned to investigate this crime. He noticed similarities between this case and another kidnapping/sexual assault that occurred in the February. The victim in the February case identified Mendez in a photo line-up as the person who had kidnapped and assaulted her in the 1100 block of E. Main Street in El Cajon.
In researching other cases, Det. Berger found another case of an attempted kidnapping in the 1200 block of E. Main Street. In that case, the female victim was walking eastbound on Main Street when she noticed a car pull to the side of the road in front of her. She saw the driver get out and open his trunk as if he was looking for something. As she walked past the car, the driver grabbed the victim from behind in an attempt to force her into his car. She fought with the suspect and was able to break free. The driver got back in his car and drove away. Det. Berger showed the victim in this case a photo line-up and she identified Mendez as the suspect who tried to kidnap her.
Mendez does not own a vehicle, and commonly used vehicles belonging to friends or relatives. The vehicles identified in the attacks are:
Green Ford Thunderbird
1985-1995 dark colored Toyota 4 door
Dark colored Mitsubishi sedan
Because Mendez has been positively identified as the suspect in three separate cases, police believe that there may be additional victims who have not come forward. Anyone who has been followed by a male matching Mendez’ description or with information regarding additional victims should contact El Cajon Police Det. Bob Berger at (619) 579-4218.
PREPARED BY: Lt. Tim Henton
DIVISION: Investigations
DATE AND TIME: 5-1-08, 0945 Hours
REVIEWED BY: A/Sgt. J. Bennett
Pat Sprecco, Chief Of Police
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