DNA helps solve 15 year old Jurupa Valley juvenile rape case – suspect arrested, officials say
Jose Ruiz was arrested following a 15 year investigation into the rape of a minor that occurred in 2001.
JURUPA VALLEY – With help from DNA and other evidence collected by Riverside County Sheriff’s investigators, a rape of a juvenile that occurred nearly 15 years ago has finally been solved and sheriff’s officials arrested a Jurupa Valley resident, charged with the crime. Officials announced the arrest on April 19.
The sexual assault occurred in 2001, at a nightclub located in the 5700 block of Mission Blvd., Jurupa Valley.
The alleged suspect was finally arrested after he was identified using DNA recovered from the victim. The case first came to the attention of sheriff’s officials after the teenage girl reported the incident November 23, 2001, according to Riverside Sheriff’s Sergeant Todd Torrenti.
In a press release from the sheriff’s department, Torrenti explained the female juvenile reported being the victim of a sexual assault that occurred while she was visiting the nightclub.
At the time of the incident, sheriff’s officials conducted a thorough and exhaustive investigation, however the suspect was not identified.
Early during the 2001 investigation, officials had a composite sketch of the suspect made and the suspect’s DNA was collected. The suspect’s DNA sample was entered into the Combined DNA Index System – also known as CODIS – but there was no match in the database at that time.
Despite their best efforts, officials were not able to immediately identify the suspect and the case went cold.
In August 2015, nearly 15 years after the crime was first reported, sheriff’s officials were notified the Combined DNA Index System had located a match to the suspects DNA. The DNA match was made after a man was arrested in San Bernardino County for an unrelated felony incident.
Based on the new information, investigators from the Riverside County Sheriff’s Jurupa Valley Station began a follow-up investigation and through extensive investigative efforts were finally able to positively identify the suspect as Jose Alfredo Ruiz, 36, of Jurupa Valley.
Following their investigation, investigators arrested Ruiz April 19. Ruiz was booked into the Robert Presley Detention Center.
A jail records search revealed Ruiz was booked for rape and sexual penetration of a minor. He is being held in lieu of $75,000 bail and he was scheduled for arraignment at the Riverside Hall of Justice this morning, April 21.
About the 15 year investigation and arrest, Torrenti said, “The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department is committed to the safety of the citizens of Jurupa Valley and will be vigilant in investigating all crimes of this nature.”
This investigation is ongoing and anyone with additional information about this incident and arrest are encouraged to contact Master Investigator James Merrill at the Jurupa Valley Station at 
(951) 955-2600. Callers can refer to incident file number and can remain anonymous. Citizens may also submit a tip using the Sheriff’s CrimeTips online form.