17-Year-Old Suspect Arrested in Connection to Alameda Burglaries, Sex Assault

Alameda police have arrested a 17-year-old boy in connection to a recent rash of burglaries and a related sexual assault on a girl, authorities said.

The teen is being linked to at least six different so-called "hot prowl" burglaries, police said. A hot prowl burglary is one in which someone breaks in while people are home. He turned himself in on Tuesday afternoon, Lt. Jill Ottaviano said.

The teen, a resident of Alameda, was not named because of his age. He was booked into Juvenile Hall, but no decision has been made about whether to charge him as an adult.

The attacks were reported during the late-night or early-morning hours between June 16 and Aug. 9. All crimes occurred in the West End area of Alameda.

The most recent incident was reported on Sunday, when a parent called police and said her young daughter was the victim of an assault while her child was sleeping in her bedroom, officials said.

Police said the suspect gained access to the home by an open bedroom window after he cut the screen.

Investigators believe the suspect was targeting female victims sleeping in their bedrooms, authorities said.

“The cases are all similar in nature because the homes were occupied with females,” Lt. Ottaviano said. “Perhaps he might have been watching them, learning their patterns, knowing when they were home, if they were home alone.”

Police said they believe the suspect may be responsible for as many as 11 break-ins, all targeting women sleeping alone.

Police don’t believe the suspect stole anything during the alleged break-ins.

Anyone with information may contact the Alameda Police Department at 510-337-8340.

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