A Rio Vista man was arrested on July 3 in connection with a firearms incident, and has since been tied to multiple sexual assaults across several Northern California cities, according to law enforcement. 25-year-old Bernarnino Vazquez was initially taken into custody by the Sacramento County Sheriff's office, and has been implicated in crimes that span Thornton, Isleton, Elk Grove, Stockton, and Sacramento. The arrest occurred following an incident involving the discharge of a shotgun.
Following Vazquez's identification in a photo lineup for the alleged assault of a massage therapist, the San Joaquin County Sheriff's Office investigators linked him to numerous sexual assault cases, as detailed in a ABC10 report. During an interview, Vazquez confessed to the assaults, the earliest of which was reported on January 12. The array of charges continues to compound as officials piece together the breadth of his offences.
Authorities have disclosed that Vazquez's alleged crimes maintained a consistent pattern, targeting women working during late-night or early-morning hours. Victims included employees from divers professions, such as a Starbucks worker, a janitor, and notably a massage therapist. KCRA reported that none of the identified victims were juveniles, and Vazquez has so far been connected to at least six victims.
The interdepartmental collaboration between the San Joaquin County District Attorney's Office and the Sacramento County District Attorney's Office signifies a concerted effort to bring Vazquez to justice. "This office will pursue justice with the full weight of the law for each victim impacted by this individual’s heinous actions," San Joaquin County District Attorney Ron Freitas conveyed in a news release obtained by KCRA. Both agencies accentuated their support for the victims and the importance of their voices in the prosecution process.
While Vazquez remains in custody, the investigation is ongoing and law enforcement encourages anyone with information related to the case to come forward. Potential additional victims or those with knowledge of the crimes are urged to contact the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office investigators at 209-468-4400.
