Police Arrest Suspect In Lake Highlands Sex Assaults
DALLAS (CBS 11 NEWS) - Dallas Police say they have arrested the serial rapist who terrorized the Lake Highlands neighborhood since mid-February.
Cesar Benitez, 30, confessed to police that he committed all three sexual assaults and voluntarily provided a DNA sample after he was arrested Tuesday afternoon. Police also confirm his palm print matches one taken from the crime scene of the March 15 sexual assault.
At this time, Benitez has been charged with Aggravated Sexual Assault Felony and Sexual Assault Felony for the February 22 and March 15 rapes. DPD has requested that Benitiez's photo not be released as detectives continue to investigate the March 19 assault. Police later lifted the ban on that photo.
Police say they received an anonymous CrimeStoppers tip last Monday indicating Benitez matched the description of the Lake Highlands serial rapist. The tipster provided very specific information about Benitez including the appearance of scratch marks he may have had. Through the tip, police were able to identify what kind of car Benitez drove and where he lived.
At about 1 p.m. on Tuesday, police spotted Benitez driving in North Dallas near North Central Expressway and Walnut Hill and tried to pull him over. Police say Benitez exited the highway, pulled into a parking lot and ran from his car.
Police had been watching Benitez for several days and believe he may have been trying to flee to Mexico. He is now being held in jail, with a bond set at more than 4.5 million dollars.
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