genderberg.com - Rape Suspect Runs When Spotted During Prostitution Sting

News 10 KXTV Sacramento
April 7, 2005

Stockton police officers were on the street Wednesday cracking down on prostitution when a rape suspect they'd been looking for went right to them.

Police thought the man was just another potential customer. After he negotiated with the undercover officer who was posing as a prostitute, he returned to his car to wait for her. Just as other police moved in to cite him, another woman walked up and claimed the man raped her last week. Then, as she began describing the incident in detail, he took off. Officers chased him down an alley, and when they caught him they discovered he is the man they had been looking for.

"We've got substantial information linking him to a crime," said Sgt. Ken Praegitzer. "He left his cell phone at the scene, and we traced it back, and it's his."

Police say the suspect gave them a false name. They are trying to determine his real identity.

The arrest occurred during a crackdown on Stockton's prostitution problem, which police say is getting worse.

"They're younger girls, average age is 18 or 19. We arrested a girl last week that was just 14," said Praegitzer.

On Wednesday police went after the customers of prostitutes to send a message that they can be caught, too. Police cited about 20 men.

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