Police arrest suspect in Sodo sexual assault

Seattle police arrested a 42-year-old man Friday who investigators believe may be involved in a series of sexual assaults in the city's Sodo neighborhood.

Police say the man could be linked to another sexual assault that occurred earlier Friday at a homeless encampment in the area and possibly to two other assaults that occurred earlier in June.

At 4:45 a.m. Friday, police were called to the 1700 block of Occidental Avenue South, where a woman reported being sexually assaulted, Sgt. Sean Whitcomb said.

Officers patrolling the area spotted a man who matched the suspect's description, Whitcomb said. He was later identified as the woman's attacker and booked into King County Jail on suspicion of sexual assault.

That assault followed an earlier attack at a homeless encampment known as "The Jungle" in the 1100 block of 14th Avenue South. The assailant in that incident fled before police arrived.

"It's possible that the two were committed by the same suspect," said Whitcomb, adding that the investigation into the 14th Avenue South assault continues.

Police are also investigating a June 8 sexual assault at another Sodo homeless camp under Interstate 5 in the 700 block of South Spokane Street.

Whitcomb said investigators suspect the same attacker may have attempted to sexually assault a woman on June 10 in the 3200 block of 3rd Avenue South. Though she was not violated sexually, the woman was taken to Harborview Medical Center because of injuries sustained during the assault.

The assailant in those cases was described as a man in his late 30s or 40s who may have been wearing a dark leather bomber jacket and dark pants. He was described as 5-foot-4 to 5-foot-8 with a medium build.

Whitcomb said police are stepping up patrols in the area this weekend. Investigators also plan to visit the homeless camps to interview potential witnesses.