A man who tried to sexually assault a woman near the Springfield Crossing apartments late last month has been arrested, Fairfax County police announced yesterday (Tuesday).
According to the Fairfax County Police Department, officers were called to the 6700 block of Metropolitan Center Drive shortly after 2:30 a.m. on Jan. 27 for a report of an abduction and an attempted sexual assault.
A woman told police that she was walking home when an unknown man approached her.
“After a brief verbal exchange, the suspect forcibly grabbed and attempted to sexually assault the victim,” the FCPD said in a press release. “The victim fought the suspect off and ran away … The victim sustained minor injuries.”
Though officers “saturated” the surrounding area, they were unable to find the man, police said.
According to the FCPD, its Major Crimes Bureau detectives developed a composite sketch, and an investigation led them to identify Yapheth Ably Emiru, a 30-year-old man from Springfield, as the alleged suspect.
Arrested on Jan. 31, Emiru was charged the following day with attempted sexual assault, stalking and abduction with the intent to defile, according to Fairfax County General District Court records.
He remains in custody at the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center after a bond hearing yesterday morning. A preliminary hearing in the case has been scheduled for 2 p.m. on May 7.
“Victim specialists from our Major Crimes Bureau’s Victim Services Division have been assigned to ensure the victim is receiving appropriate resources and assistance,” the FCPD said.
