Suspect Freed in Sepulveda Park Rapes

Prosecutors declined to file charges Tuesday against a Van Nuys man arrested as a suspect in the rapes of three women and the robbery of a fourth in the Sepulveda Dam Recreation Area.

Reynaldo Villatoro, 30, who had been jailed since Saturday night, was released Tuesday after the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office in Van Nuys decided that there was not enough evidence to identify him as the attacker.

“At this time, the identification evidence available is insufficient to warrant any charges,” Deputy Dist. Atty. David R. Disco said.

Villatoro, a native of El Salvador who works as a plumber, was arrested at 6 p.m. Saturday at Delano Park, about half a mile east of the recreation area.

Police on routine patrol on a street next to Delano Park stopped and questioned Villatoro when they noticed that he matched an artist’s drawing of the suspect. Police said Villatoro also matched a description provided by the victims, including having front teeth edged with gold.

However, after Villatoro’s arrest, the victims did not positively identify him as their attacker, Disco said. Police said a lineup in which Villatoro was viewed by at least one victim was inconclusive.

Detective Sgt. Dave Dempsey would not elaborate on the identification problems. He said that an investigation is continuing and that Villatoro could be charged later.

“Talking about it may hurt the case,” Dempsey said. “We are not through with it. There is going to be further investigation.”

The attacks occurred in the morning while the women were walking or jogging. The rapes occurred July 17, Oct. 9 and Oct. 30, all Sundays. The robbery, in which the woman was surprised from behind and knocked to the ground, occurred Sept. 14, a Wednesday.