A tip from the observant wife of a San Diego Police Department officer led to the arrest of a man accused in a series of seven sexual assaults in the North Park area over the summer, officials confirmed.
At a community meeting in North Park Monday night, SDPD Chief Shelley Zimmerman revealed some details on what led to the take-down of suspect David Drake, 23, who was arrested on Sept. 9 near 5th Street and Washington Avenue in Hillcrest.
According to Zimmerman, the wife of an SDPD officer “noticed something very specific and unique” about a surveillance photo of the suspect police had released to the media and told her husband about it.
“That was the one piece of information that helped us put that puzzle together that we were able to go out and arrest that suspect,” said Zimmerman, adding that community cooperation is crucial to cases like this.
Zimmerman said the tipster and her officer husband wanted to remain anonymous. The chief did not reveal specifics about what, exactly, was “unique” about the surveillance photo that led to Drake’s arrest.
Zimmerman said she’s relieved to have the suspect in custody, given the seriousness of this case. If convicted on all seven attacks – which happened in the residential area west of Interstate 805 and south of El Cajon Boulevard – Drake faces more than 100 years in prison, she said.
The chief said a lot of resources were allocated to solving the North Park attack series, including more officer patrols in the area. She also said the community has become much more vigilant, and hopes residents stay that way since all it takes is one piece of key information to crack a case.
“If you see something, say something. You can’t call us enough. That’s what we’re here for. We need to work together to make sure San Diego is the safest city in the United States,” said Zimmerman.
Zimmerman said detectives are still investigating at least one other sexual assault in the North Park area over the summer not connected to Drake.
That incident happened June 17 in 3200 block of Meade Avenue as a woman walked alone. Police released a composite sketch of the suspect involved in that attack and the investigation into that case remains active.
Meanwhile, Drake remains in jail on $5 million bail. His next court appearance is slated for Nov. 6.
The San Diego Police Department is now investigating another series of sexual assaults in Egger Highlands in the South Bay.
