Suspect In Several Assaults Arrested In King County

BURIEN, WA — State troopers and King County detectives arrested a suspect Monday night wanted in connection with a series of violent attacks in the Burien area, Washington State Patrol announced Tuesday.

Troopers said the 42-year-old Burien man approached multiple women near the transit center and offered them rides before touching them inappropriately or soliciting sexual favors. When the women refused, WSP said the man would pull over and assault them.

In the first known case, reported on Oct. 30, a woman struggled with the man outside of his white Toyota Prius, successfully knocking a knife from his hand before running away. During a second incident Saturday, troopers said the man punched a victim in the head until she was able to escape. A third attack Monday evening left another woman with a stab wound to the leg.

After developing a pattern and likely identity of the suspect, troopers and detectives found the suspect near the transit center later that evening as he tried to lure another victim, officials said. He was arrested without incident and booked into jail on suspicion of felony assault.

Troopers ask anyone who was a victim of a similar attack or witnessed any of the incidents to reach out to WSP detectives via e-mail or call 425-401-7746.