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Phoenix police say alleged attacker identified
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Phoenix police and others are crediting tips received through Silent Witness with helping lead them to a suspect wanted in a string of sexual assaults against young girls, some as young as 7.
Phoenix police make arrest in sexual abuse cases
Detectives announced the arrest Monday of Robert Jesse Payan, 28.
Police allege that Payan would venture into central Phoenix apartment complexes and would lure or sexually attack young girls.
The attacker began to get bolder with each incident, authorities said.
Phoenix police arrested Payan in connection with as many as 11 incidents with girls involved in three of the cases identifying Payan from photo lineups, court documents indicate.
Payan was booked into Maricopa County jail on multiple counts of kidnapping, molestation, sexual abuse and public sexual indecency following his arrest Sunday night at his Phoenix apartment.
He is being held without bond given the nature of the crimes.
This was not Payan's first involvement with law enforcement.
Police said that Payan was arrested and convicted in 2002 after exposing himself to a pair of female Glendale High School students.
After the arrest was announced Monday, Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon joined police investigators at City Hall to praise the work of the police department.
"These undercover officers and patrol officers staying out there 24/7 until this predator was arrested is a tribute to (Phoenix Police)," Gordon said.
The mayor added that citizen tips helped lead police to Payan.
In the neighborhoods where Payan allegedly terrorized his victims, parents were understandably relieved at word of the arrest.
"I take care of my family. It's the most important part of my life," said Abel Martinez, 32, a construction worker who watches his children during the day.
"If anything happened to them, it would kill me."
Payan was arrested in connection with three attacks that occurred less than one mile apart, according to court records.
Police have not yet released Payan's booking photo because photo lineups are still being conducted.
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