Teen suspected in Alameda burglaries, sexual assault of girl

ALAMEDA, Calif. (KGO) -- A 17-year-old has been arrested in connection with a string of home invasions in Alameda that all involved female victims. The most recent incident included the sexual assault of a young girl. Police say surveillance pictures were key to the arrest.

As the prowler tried to break into the Rodeway Inn, clear pictures were recorded. People who know the teen suspected of the crimes recognized him immediately. And it was likely under that pressure that he turned himself into police on Tuesday night.

The 17-year-old Alameda boy, who police say is their suspect, faces two counts of burglary and sexual assault charges.

But those are just the first of the cases to be turned over to the district attorney's office. Investigators think they can connect the teen to seven recent burglaries and maybe more.

All of the cases involved female victims. And in the most recent attack on Sunday, police say the prowler sexually assaulted a young girl who is the youngest of all the victims.

Police say there is a pattern to all of the "hot prowl" cases.

"The suspect cut the screen on an opened unsecured window and that's been the link to all of these," said Lt. Jill Ottaviano.

Nya Anduray, who knows the suspect, told ABC7 News, "When I found out I was like, he's a sweet boy. He never used to be aggressive. That's why I was just shocked like, wow that was really him. Cause once I saw the picture I was like that's him."

The recent stretch of burglaries started in June up to this past Sunday. But police say they may connect the teen to earlier incidents as well.

Police are also investigating an auto theft that happened near one of the break-ins and they're analyzing fingerprints to see if the same teen was involved.

There's a lot more work to be done, but there's also a sense of relief in the community.

Anyone with additional information is asked to contact the Alameda Police Department at (510) 337-8340.