The SAPD used DNA evidence to identify a brutal sexual assault suspect

Suspect: Cornelio Chairez-Velasquez (37)

DNA evidence has identified the suspect in a brutal sexual assault of a 14-year-old girl. The assault occurred on November 24, 2018, as the victim sat on a park bench. Santa Ana Police responded to Cabrillo Park after midnight and found the victim beaten and sexually assaulted. Santa Ana Police Special Crimes detectives released a sketch of the suspect and sought help from the public. The case remained open as detectives followed up on several leads, but the suspect was never captured. Cornelio Chairez-Velasquez was recently identified as the suspect though DNA evidence.

Chairez-Velasquez has been in custody since he attacked a woman at a Santa Ana motel in January of 2019. In this case, Chairez-Velasquez attempted to sexually assault a woman before strangling her. Santa Ana Police were called to the scene and arrested Chairez-Velasquez. He was booked for attempt-murder and multiple sexual assault charges.

Chairez-Velasquez was still in custody at the Orange County Jail when he was identified as the suspect in the Cabrillo Park case. Rape and child molest charges have been added and he is currently held without bail.

Santa Ana Police Department Detectives believe there could be additional victims and ask anyone with information to contact Detective Corporal Maria Lopez at 714-245-8542, mlopez15@santa-ana.org or Orange County Crime Stoppers at 1-855-TIP-OCCS.

Art Pedroza Editor

Our Editor, Art Pedroza, worked at the O.C. Register and the OC Weekly and studied journalism at CSUF and UCI. He has lived in Santa Ana for over 30 years and has served on several city and county commissions. When he is not writing or editing Pedroza specializes in risk control and occupational safety. He also teaches part time at Cerritos College and CSUF. Pedroza has an MBA from Keller University.

See Full Bio