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News: Serial rapist caught
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On Thursday, July 6, State Attorney called a press conference to announce the capture of the serial rapist by ministerial police in San Miguel de Allende.
José Luis Álvarez González, 58, from the rural community La Talega in the county of San Miguel, was detained in el Centro during a special operation by 50 ministerial police agents on July 5. Álvarez had raped five expat women since October 2005, breaking into their homes late at night and threatening them with a knife.
DNA tests indicated a positive match with evidence collected at the crime scenes, and Álvarez also confessed to the crimes. The capture of Álvarez was the result of months of investigation by the special forces (GERI) under the direct jurisdiction of State Attorney and ministerial police, with collaboration by the US FBI.
The genetic profile, criminal record and photographs of Álvarez provided last week by the FBI attaché from the American Embassy, facilitated the identification of the culprit, who had worked in the United States under various aliases and had a criminal record in Texas.
The case proved a huge test for the entire city. San Miguel, normally in the spotlight as a favorite tourist destination, faced attention from the local, national and international media that was not always flattering. The incidents raised issues of women's rights and public security while bringing to the surface issues of community living that are normally not addressed. During the months of investigations, the local Neighborhood Watch program gained wide acceptance and was successfully implemented in several urban colonias.
Chronicle of the case
The reign of terror began in October 2005, when a foreign-born woman in her mid-30s was raped and brutally beaten in her San Antonio home. Another woman in her early 50s was raped in the same area in December. Then, two more women were assaulted, one in January 2006, in Colonia Guadiana, and another in February, in el Centro. Although the ministerial police had DNA evidence and an artist's rendering of the rapist, there appeared to be little progress in the case as authorities remained tight-lipped regarding advances. The artist's sketch, considered unreliable, was not released to the media. The sparse information provided about the attacker was that he was a Spanish-speaking man of robust stature who spoke English well.
Suspects detained
As public pressure mounted, Ángel Francisco Valenzuela, 25, was detained on February 14 for participating in a street fight. He allegedly resembled the physical description of the aggressor; however, DNA tests failed to match. Valenzuela was released but made a formal complaint to the local human rights office. More than 10 other suspects were also tested, but no DNA test proved positive.
At this time, a local citizen's group formed to pressure municipal authorities and assist in solving the cases. Then-mayor Luis Alberto Villarreal declared on several occasions that San Miguel continued to be a safe place to live and visit.
Collaboration with US authorities
On February 16, District Attorney called a meeting with the foreign community at Hotel la Puertecita, with the American Embassy in Mexico City. At the meeting "A few weeks ago we received the results of DNA testing on the four cases. We are certain that the crimes were committed by the same person. We have his blood type, his DNA, his physical profile, his psychological profile, and his cultural and economic profile. Detectives, police officers, psychologists and lawyers are all working on the case. There are four ministerial police teams working 24 hours a day." He also said that information was sent to the FBI and that they were waiting for the results during the following week. The results did not arrive.
Many locals felt that offering a reward for information would lead to the capture of the rapist, but state police authorities did not accept the proposal.
By the end of February, the case was left in the hands of the head of the ministerial police of Guanajuato, who had been involved in the case since December. State Attorney made a special visit to San Miguel to hold a press conference that announced the state special forces, under his direct supervision, had taken over the investigation.
The final incident
For the next five months no new rapes were reported, and many hoped the aggressor had left town. Then, a fifth rape occurred in the early hours of Friday, June 23, in Colonia Azteca.
Five days later, on June 28, State Attorney and District Attorney met privately with US Consul and Mayor to discuss advances in the case. Later announced to the press that they were following four specific leads, and that to date more than 51 men had been interrogated and 37 DNA tests conducted. Serial crimes, it was pointed out, frequently take years to solve. Commented that FBI results had been delayed due to legal requirements in the US.
The case is solved
On Thursday, July 6, State Attorney called a press conference to announce that ministerial police had identified and arrested the rapist. The official announcement, accompanied by San Miguel's US Consul and Mayor, acknowledging the collaboration of US and municipal authorities.
José Luis Álvarez, flanked by masked special forces agents, was briefly presented and then returned to his cell.
The capture of Álvarez was made possible by the assistance of the FBI attaché from the American Embassy. The FBI forwarded photographic and criminal data that enabled the Zamarripa and special forces agents to identify and detain Álvarez in an operation involving 50 agents on July 5.
When apprehended, Álvarez confessed to Public Ministry Agent. Chowell said the victims have not yet personally identified the man.
When asked to comment on the case, Consul said: "I am grateful for the effort of the ministerial police. The situation was resolved with the collaboration of the state police, local police and the municipal and US authorities; they are definitely working together." He also stated that it is important that the foreign community have confidence, faith and patience with authorities.
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Average Score: 5
Votes: 1
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