Suspect arrested in Fresno County rape case — and potential for more, sheriff says

A San Joaquin man has been arrested on suspicion of rape in Fresno County — and he’s potentially connected to two more cases spanning almost four years.

Guadalupe Gonzalez, 36, was booked Wednesday into the Fresno County Jail on charges of rape, oral copulation and sodomy with no eligibility for bail, Fresno County Sheriff’s Office Lt. Brandon Purcell said Thursday.

According to Purcell, a local hospital made a report to the sheriff’s office after coming in contact with a woman who said a man had raped her. Deputies contacted the alleged victim and collected information of the attack.

Detectives learned that Gonzalez and the woman met online and made plans to go on a date. The victim met Gonzalez at an apartment in San Joaquin. During their time together, Gonzalez turned violent and took the woman’s cell phone and held her at gun point. He then raped the victim, Purcell said.

Gonzalez later ordered her into his vehicle and he drove her to a rural area of Fresno County, where he raped her again, Purcell said.

Gonzalez then threw the woman’s cell phone into an orchard and ordered her out of his vehicle, described as a tan two-door Chevy Tahoe, before he fled the area. The victim called a friend for a ride home and later went to the hospital.

Detectives gathered evidence to help identify the suspect, including locating the tan Chevy Tahoe, and eventually arrested Gonzalez.

Potential for additional crimes

According to Purcell, detectives suspect that Gonzalez was responsible for two other rape cases, in 2017 and 2019.

The sheriff’s office is also concerned he could be responsible for other rapes that were never reported.

“What we are looking for is some justice for the victims that are out there, that didn’t think they could come forward, maybe didn’t think that we would trust them or anything would happen,” Purcell said. “We want them to know they can come forward so we can get them the justice they deserve and maybe some closure.”

The Fresno County Sheriff’s Office is asking the anyone had ever been contacted by or assaulted by Gonzalez to contact detectives. He is described as 5 foot 7, 225 pounds and with tattoos on his arm and hand.

Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Jose Leon at 559-600-8205 or Crime Stoppers at 559-498-7867.

This story was originally published October 28, 2021 at 5:29 PM.