| For Immediate Release Case # 04CF3110
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Susan Kang Schroeder Public Affairs Counsel Office: 714-347-8408 Cell: 714-292-2718 Farrah Emami |
SUSPECTED INTERNATIONAL SERIAL RAPIST FEATURED ON OCDA “TEN MOST WANTED” LIST CAPTURED IN AUSTRIA AFTER INTERPOL DNA HIT
SANTA ANA – A man suspected of being an international serial rapist who was featured on the Orange County District Attorney’s (OCDA) Ten Most Wanted list has been arrested in Austria following a DNA match through INTERPOL. Ali Achekzai, 32, formerly of Ladera Ranch, is charged with two felony counts of forcible rape, one felony count of aggravated assault, one felony count of sexual penetration by foreign object by force, one felony count of assault with the intent to commit a sexual offense, and sentencing enhancements and allegations for committing sexual crimes against more than one victim and causing great bodily injury to a victim. The OCDA is prosecuting the defendant for the rapes and assault with the intent to commit a sexual offense (see below) that occurred in Orange and San Diego Counties. If convicted, Achekzai faces a maximum sentence of 53 years and four months to life in state prison.
The Tustin Police Department (TPD) is the lead investigating agency. A $500,000 arrest warrant was issued for the defendant Oct. 19, 2004, and he was subsequently listed on the OCDA Ten Most Wanted list. The warrant was later increased to $1 million and Achekzai was arrested in Salzburg, Austria, at 1:00 p.m. on Jan. 26, 2010 (or 4:00 a.m. PST) and will face extradition proceedings in Austria.
Circumstances of the Rape of Jane Doe #1
On Jan. 31, 2004, Achekzai is accused of meeting 21-year-old Jane Doe #1 at a nightclub in Laguna Beach. Shortly after 2:00 a.m., Jane Doe #1 observed the defendant following her in his car as she was driving on Jamboree Road toward Tustin. The defendant is accused of following Jane Doe #1 as she drove around and attempted to lose him. Achekzai is accused of pulling up near Jane Doe in his car and yelling for her to pull over because he wanted to talk to her about something important.
Jane Doe #1 parked in a fast food restaurant lot and Achekzai is accused of getting into her car under the pretense of talking to her to warn her about another man she had met at the nightclub. The victim became scared, got out of her car, and attempted to run away. Achekzai is accused of getting out of the victim’s car, chasing Jane Doe #1, catching her, and leading her back to the car as she cried and struggled to get away.
Once they were back in the car, the defendant is accused of grabbing Jane Doe #1 by the neck, holding her down, digitally penetrating and forcibly raping her. He is accused of then getting back into his car and driving away. Jane Doe #1 reported the rape to police and DNA was collected from her clothing. TPD investigated this case.
Circumstances of the Rape of Jane Doe #2
On May 3, 2004, Achekzai is accused of meeting two women while at a nightclub with his male cousin in San Diego. Late that night, the defendant is accused of going with his cousin and the two women to Mount Soledad in San Diego County. Achekzai is accused of isolating 21-year-old Jane Doe #2 from the other two friends by inviting her to take a walk through a dark park. Once the defendant was alone with the victim, he is accused of grabbing her and pulling her to the ground as she struggled to get away.