(Hartford) - At approximately 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 26, 2004, Officers Matthew Arace and Mark Castagna of the South End Community Response Division responded to the 469 Franklin Avenue, Hartford, on a report of a juvenile sexual assault.  Upon arrival, the Officers learned that a fifteen year old female was making allegations that on May 25, 2004, a male classmate forced her into a bathroom and where he forced her to perform oral sex.  

The Hartford Police Department's Youth and Family Services Division was promptly notified and responded, taking over the investigation. The suspect (a fourteen year old male student) was identified and located hiding in a garage in the rear of 73 Standish Street, Hartford.   He was attempting to avoid Police capture. Upon being interviewed by Detective Dixon Vega of the HPD's Youth and Family Services Division, with his Mother present, he admitted to the sexual encounter.  He was subsequently arrested and charged with Kidnapping in the First degree, Sexual assault in the First Degree, and Risk of Injury to a Minor.  The suspect was brought to the Hartford Juvenile Detention Center located at 920 Broad St in Hartford. 

Two other males (a fifteen year old and Luis Rodriguez, age 16 of Hartford) were arrested as they attempted to keep the suspect from Police custody. 

In another unrelated case, on March 30, 2004, the Hartford Police Department's Youth and Family Services Division began a sexual assault investigation involving a twelve (12) year old female victim who allegedly had a sexual relationship with a fourteen year old male.  

Upon gaining enough information in the case, Detective Sabine Nyenhuis submitted an arrest warrant for the suspect, charging him with two (2) counts each of Sexual Assault in the First Degree and  Risk of Injury to a Minor. The suspect turned himself into Detective. Nyenhuis along with his mother at Police Headquarters this evening. He was then brought to the Hartford Juvenile Detention center at 920 Broad St in Hartford where he will be detained until his arraignment tomorrow. 

Sergeant James A. Bernier
Supervisor, Youth and Family Services Division
(860)527-7300 ext.5251