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UPDATE: Forensic analysis of the DNA sample provided by Cesar Benitez has been completed by SWIFS. Mr. Benitez’ DNA matches the DNA evidence collected from February 22nd, March 15th and March 19th offenses occurring in the Lake Highlands community.

LT Paul Stokes from Dallas Police said:
On March 25, 2013, the Dallas Police Department received an anonymous CrimeStoppers tip regarding a possible suspect that had committed the sexual assaults in the Lake Highlands community. The tipster shared specific information regarding an individual whom they believed resembled one of the composite sketches released at the March 22, 2013 press conference. The information was immediately reviewed by the department’s Fusion Center and that information was developed into a workable intelligence packet. The intelligence packet was further reviewed by the detectives from the Sex Assaults Unit and then assigned to the Metro Task Force for field investigation. Officers from the Metro Task Force and Northeast Deployment Unit continued the investigative process and developed further workable leads to the whereabouts of the suspect’s residence and vehicle.

At about 1pm today Metro officers observed the suspect driving in north Dallas and initiated a traffic stop, southbound North Central Expressway at Walnut Hill. The suspect exited the freeway and drove into an adjacent business parking lot where he abandoned the vehicle and fled on foot. Metro officers pursued the suspect and were able to place him under arrest.

The suspect was transported to the Crimes Against Persons Division at police headquarters’ where he gave detectives a voluntary statement admitting to his involvement in all three sexual assault offenses that occurred in the Lake Highlands community. A palm print taken from the crime scene at the March 15, 2013 sexual assault offense was positively matched to the suspect. The suspect also voluntarily provided a DNA sample. The sample has been delivered to SWIFS for forensic analysis.

Cesar, Benitez L/M/09-21-1982 has been charged with one count of Aggravated Sexual Assault Felony/1 and one count of Sexual Assault Felony/2 for the February 22, 2013 and March 15, 2013 offenses respectfully. The March 19, 2013 sexual assault currently remains under investigation to determine the most applicable charges. The arrestee's bond has been set at $4,564,000.The Dallas Police Department has requested that the Dallas County jail does not release the arrestee's photo while the March 19th offense is under investigation.