A man from Annandale, Northern Virginia, has been accused of raping a woman at her business last week and attempting to sexually assault a student on a college campus the following day, according to Fairfax County police.
Kevin Lopez-Altan, 24, is alleged to have shown up at an Annandale business before it opened on Wednesday and held a 59-year-old woman captive. Chief Kevin Davis stated that Lopez-Altan made several attempts to enter the business, successfully forcing his way in to attack the victim over several hours. The victim managed to escape and call the police, but the attacker had already fled the scene, leaving behind evidence such as fingerprints.
After developing Lopez-Altan as a suspect, Fairfax County detectives discovered that the Northern Virginia Community College Police Department was investigating a separate attack the following night involving a student. The 20-year-old woman was able to resist her attacker with the help of a passerby.
A previous encounter with the suspect was recalled by a campus police officer who had been a Fairfax County sheriff’s deputy. The officer recognized Lopez-Altan’s identity based on tattoos and the unusual way he rubbed his fingers.
Authorities knew that Lopez-Altan frequents various shopping centers in Annandale and located him, arresting him at Heritage Center on Friday afternoon. Police believe that he may have targeted more victims if not apprehended.
Lopez-Altan faces multiple felony charges, including rape, forcible sodomy, and abduction with intent to defile. He is currently in custody without bond while police are concerned that there may be other victims who have not come forward.
