Arlington County

Arlington Sex Assault Suspect May Have Tried Entering Other High-Rise Buildings

A man who sexually assaulted a woman after posing as a maintenance worker at an Arlington luxury apartment building may have tried to enter other high-rise buildings, police sources say.

The attack happened Sunday morning in The Atrium at 1530 Key Boulevard. A man entered the building about 9:45 a.m. and knocked on every door on one floor, claiming to be with building maintenance, police said.

When one woman opened the door, the suspect struggled with her and then sexually assaulted her, police said. The man then ran from the scene.

Police sources told News4 Wednesday they are investigating reports that the suspect, who is still at large, tried to get into other apartment buildings in Arlington. In one case, the doorman turned the man away.

After the sexual assault at The Atrium, the suspect went back into the building through the front entrance, according to security camera images and police sources.

Security video shows the suspect in the glass-walled elevator and he appears to panic.

Police could not confirm why the suspect went back inside.

The suspect is described as a black male in his early 20s, about 6 feet tall with a slim build. He was wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt with dark pants and carrying a backpack.

A resident at The Atrium who asked that News4 not identify her, says she has seen front desk staff "buzz" people into the building without question. She said she and her boyfriend once woke up to a stranger, possibly intoxicated, knocking on their door.

The Atrium's condominium board has declined to speak with News4 about the residents' security concerns.

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