"We have probable cause to believe he's responsible for the three separate incidents," said DeFazio.
Willie J. Lozada Jr., a 22-year-old West New York resident who lived in the vicinity of 53rd Street and Palisade Avenue, was arrested and charged with kidnapping, armed robbery, aggravated assault, and weapons charges.
Lozada was apprehended March 29 a mere block away from the site of the most recent alleged sex and robbery attacks.
Police learned of Lozada's whereabouts when a concerned local citizen, a possible schoolmate, saw published police sketches of the suspect and anonymously tipped off the Hudson County Special Victims Unit (SVU), said DeFazio.
The arrest was made after SVU officials were led to a social networking website which included photos that positively identified the suspect, said DeFazio.
Lozada, who is being held at the Hudson County Correctional Center on $500,000 bail set forth by the county's superior court, is facing charges including alleged kidnapping and aggravated assault, said DeFazio.
The silver and black handgun used in the alleged attacks, which is believed to be a pellet gun, said DeFazio, has not been recovered yet.
DeFazio said there is no indication that Lozada acted with anyone else.
"I give credit and thanks to the Special Victims Unit, prosecutor's office, and West New York Police Department," said DeFazio regarding the recent bust.
Anyone with additional information concerning the events of the ongoing investigation is encouraged to call SVU at (201) 915-1234.
The charges
According to DeFazio, Lozada is facing several counts of kidnapping, aggravated sexual assault, and armed robbery.
Noting that Lozada is facing "multiple counts" of these charges, DeFazio said if convicted, the suspect will face an "extraordinary amount of time in state prison."
According to DeFazio, kidnapping charges carry a maximum jail sentence of 30 years, aggravated assault charges carry a maximum jail sentence of 20 years, and armed robbery charges carry a maximum jail sentence of 20 years.
Lozada's most recent charge involved an incident that took place on Saturday, March 15 at 4 a.m., when he allegedly confronted a 29-year-old woman who was coming home from work at gunpoint and allegedly forced her to commit a sex act.
The alleged attack took place outside of her car at 53rd Street and Hudson Avenue - a block away from where authorities suspect Lozada lives. Lozada allegedly forced the woman back into the car and drove a short distance and then he allegedly forced the woman to commit a sex act and robbed her.
Authorities believe that the suspect also struck earlier that same night at 3 a.m., when he allegedly confronted a 53-year-old woman near the entrance of her building at 52nd Street and Hudson Avenue. The suspect allegedly threatened her at gunpoint where he attempted a similar crime but the woman was able to escape by slamming and locking her building's front door.
Authorities believe the attacker is the same one who struck at a Palisade Avenue business near 51st Street on March 5. During that incident, at around 7 a.m., the attacker allegedly attempted to rape a 26-year-old woman before he allegedly robbed her and allegedly threatened to kill her if she called police.
DeFazio said that the police have information and evidence that suggests that Lozada was the attacker involved in all three incidences. The case is still under investigation.
Nicolas Millan can be reached at NMillan@hudsonreporter.com.
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