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*** FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE ***
Contact:
Officer
Joe Okies #71
BPD Public Information Officer
(510) 981- 5752 Berkeley
Investigators Arrest Man Responsible for North Aquatic Park Rape
Berkeley,
California (Tuesday August 30, 2005)
– On Monday August 29th, Berkeley Police Department’s Sex Crimes
Detail arrested Israel Bustamonte, a 25 year old Oakland resident, for
rape and sexual assault. Bustamonte’s arrest stems from a case that occurred on May
22nd at approximately 6 o’clock in the evening when
Bustamonte sexually assaulted and raped a 17-year-old female as she was
walking on the north side of Aquatic Park.
The
case against Bustamonte began to take shape within days of the crime
when Ofc. Westerhoff, the beat officer for that area, saw the suspect
sketch and flyer and was reminded of a false imprisonment case he had
taken in December of 2004 involving Bustamonte.
Based on details of that case, and the suspect description
investigators began looking for Bustamonte as a person of interest in
this case. Several days
after the rape occurred, Ofc. Westerhoff found Bustamonte standing in
the area of 4th and Hearst several blocks away from where the
rape had taken place. This
initial contact helped to move the case forward.
Ofc. Westerhoff said, “ This investigation was a great example
of beat officers and detectives working together to solve a heinous
crime in our community. I’m
thrilled that we were able to positively identify and arrest this
dangerous individual. “ Detective
Keith Deblasi of the sex crimes detail said, “Bustamonte’s arrest
was the result of a comprehensive investigation that included a suspect
sketch, extensive interviews, DNA evidence, and a detailed follow-up
Investigation. This arrest would not have been possible without the
contributions of many people here at the Department and the courage and
perseverance of the victim.” Bustamonte
was arrested by Berkeley Detectives at the Santa Clara County Jail
where he had been facing unrelated charges. ####
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