Suspect Identified in Rape case by DNA

07/09/2007 - A year-old rape case that rocked the small Valley city of Reedley has finally been solved. Reedley police announced Monday they have identified the man who raped a ten-year old girl last July.

News that the Reedley rapist has been caught has been received with relief and shock; relief the man is no longer a threat, but shock, because he lived right here on this street just doors away from where he attacked the little girl.

After exhausting all leads in the case, Reedley police got lucky. They discovered DNA evidence collected at the crime scene last July matched the DNA of a man already in prison, 23-year old Rene Romero Arroyo.

Sgt. Todd Lowery, Reedley P.D. says, "We're just happy that we were able to get lucky and get a DNA match and get this guy off the streets."

As it turns out, Arroyo is already in prison on statutory rape and child molestation charges after having sex with a 12 year old in Reedley last fall.

In the case of the ten year old girl, police say Arroyo talked his way into the home and sexually attacked his victim while her parents were at work.

Sgt. Lowery says, "He lived close by. We did find that out. I think he was aware of the movements of the family. He was aware when the mom and dad weren't there, there wasn't a whole lot of time between when the mom left and when the suspect came into the house. He had been watching the house."

Neighbor Bernice Rodriguez says, "That's even scarier, because he had probably been watching her and he could have basically done it to anybody. Living so close to someone like that is just scary."

Rodriguez lives just a few doors away from where the attack took place. She and the other parents on the street no longer allow their children to play alone in the front yard. Another Reedley mother acknowledged her small town is no longer immune to what happens in larger cities.

Frances Guitierrez says, "This day and age you can't trust anything. You can't leave your kids home by themselves anymore. I mean our parents did it with us, but you just can't do it. "

Reedley police have turned the case over to the District Attorney's office. The little girl, who is now eleven, is reportedly doing well and her family is getting some closure to this long ordeal.