Three arrested in gang rape of lesbian woman

Thursday, January 1, 2009

(01-01) 13:33 PST -- In a case that is being investigated as a hate crime, a 31-year-old man and two teenagers suspected in the alleged gang rape in December of a 28-year-old lesbian woman have been jailed, Richmond police said Thursday.

A fourth suspect, 21-year-old Josue Gonzalez who is also known by the nickname "Pato," remains at large and is believed to be armed and dangerous, authorities said. Gonzalez is wanted on a $1 million arrest warrant.

Richmond police on Wednesday arrested a 15-year-old male and 21-year-old Humberto Hernandez Salvadore at their Richmond homes. The 15-year-old was charged with felony counts of sexual assault, kidnapping and robbery, said Richmond Police Lt. Mark Gagan. Salvadore, who authorities described as the ringleader in the incident, was charged with felony counts of kidnapping to commit a sex crime, carjacking, rape, gang rape, as well as charged associated with probation violation and felonies committed while on probation.

The teenager is being held with no bail at a juvenile facility in Martinez; Salvadore is being held in county jail in Martinez with no bail.

A sixteen-year-old male from Hercules turned himself in around midnight, was charged with felonies related to the alleged rape and kidnapping and was also being held in a juvenile detention center. The teenager, who was known by the nickname "Blue," was accompanied by his family, Gagan said.

Salvadore "had the most involvement and gave orders and directions to the other individuals," Gagan said. "But they're all responsible for the crimes that were committed against the victim."

Police allege that on Dec. 13 the 45-minute assault began at 9:30 p.m. in the 1500 block of Visalia Avenue in Richmond's Belding-Wood neighborhood. After being sexually assaulted in that location, the woman was forced back into her car after the suspects saw someone approaching. She was driven several blocks away to the 1300 block of Burbeck Avenue, where she was repeatedly sexually assaulted near an apartment complex, police said.

After the attack, the men drove off in her car. She sought help from a nearby resident who called the authorities.

Investigators are pursuing the case as a hate crime because of comments the suspects made about the victim's sexual orientation. The woman is openly lesbian and had a rainbow sticker on her car, a symbol of gay pride. The case has already drawn national attention.

Authorities offered $10,000 for tips leading to the attackers' arrest. So far the police have not distributed any money, Gagan said; but the community did provide helpful information in the case.

In the wake of the incident, the community held vigils, distributed leaflets and made announcements at local churches, he added.

"The crime had an immediate effect on our community," Gagan said. "Locally people were very afraid to know that these people were out there."

Police are now working to find Gonzalez, who police described as 5 feet, five inches, 130 lbs., with long black hair and brown eyes. He also has a tattoo of three dots in a triangle on his left wrist, Gagan said. He has addresses listed in Richmond and San Rafael. Gagan urged people to call 911 if Gonzalez is spotted.

Gagan said the woman is recovering. Community Violence Solutions, a nonprofit rape crisis center, has opened a fund in the name of Richmond Jane Doe to help the woman pay for relocation expenses, police said.

"We know that being the victim of this crime has changed her for life. I can only imagine that knowing these people are in custody is a relief."