Shocking Kidnapping and Sex Crime Attempt Near UC Berkeley as Suspect Finally Arrested

Berkeley police have arrested a suspect, identified as 28-year-old Wilmer Guerrapena, allegedly involved in a kidnapping and sex crime incident near UC Berkeley that began last week via the Berkeley Scanner. The harrowing ordeal garnered widespread attention as a summer exchange student fought off the assailant and managed to escape.

@HenryKLeeKTVU on Twitter reported that Guerrapena was charged with kidnapping to commit a sex crime and assault, after allegedly pretending to crash into the woman riding her scooter near College and Haste and carrying her to a secluded area. The victim fought back, ultimately deterring Guerrapena from completing his heinous intentions and escaping.

The meticulous search conducted by Berkeley police culminated in the arrest of Guerrapena, when a patrol officer spotted him around midnight in the 2500 block of Durant Avenue. The location of the arrest was a mere four blocks from the incident that had transpired on June 21.

Initially, the investigation focused on a different description of the suspect, but as more evidence was collected, Berkeley police discovered that Guerrapena was the true individual they were pursuing. With this new information in hand, officers diligently scoured the area, eventually apprehending the suspect several days later. Importantly, the victim's ability to fight off her attacker and contact the police undoubtedly played a crucial role in Guerrapena's eventual arrest.

Guerrapena now faces multiple charges, including kidnapping to commit a sex crime, assault with intent to commit rape, giving false identification to police, and failing to provide DNA or fingerprints, according to jail records. As of Monday, after the arrest, he remains in custody at Berkeley Jail.