DeKalb County authorities have named a suspect in the recent rape of a woman walking down Buford Highway — but they have not apprehended him.
Brookhaven police spokesman Maj. Brandon Gurley said Monday that Roberto Gaona-Pina has been charged with rape and aggravated assault in connection with the April 24 attack near North Cliff Valley Way. The victim in that attack was walking along Buford Highway when a male grabbed her arm, pulled her into a wooded area and assaulted her physically and sexually, police said.
Brookhaven and DeKalb County police worked together to identify Gaona-Pina as a suspect, Gurley said. He had not been arrested as of Monday and authorities believe he could be in the Alabama area, Gurley said.
Anyone with information regarding Gaona-Pina’s immediate whereabouts is asked to call 911. Anonymous tips can also be submitted through CrimeStoppers Atlanta by calling 404-577-TIPS or visiting crimestoppersatlanta.org.
“The identification of this suspect was made possible by the community’s partnership with us and their desire to keep Brookhaven safe,” Brookhaven Police Chief Gary Yandura said in a news release. “We will continue to work together to locate this fugitive and help return a sense of safety and security to this victim and our city.”
Police originally identified the rape suspect as a male with an "overgrown Mohawk."
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