Police: Wash Park Assault Suspect Tried To 'Choke' Women
DENVER (CBS4) – Police in Denver have released the identity of a man suspected of attacking two women in the Washington Park neighborhood Sunday night.
Kijana Lazahn Jelks, 18, was taken into custody shortly after the attacks. The first happened at approximately 6 p.m. near Emerson Street and East Bayaud Avenue. The second occurred just about 20 minutes later on Pearl Street and East Alameda Avenue. Police arrested Jelks at Speer Boulevard and Pennsylvania Street.
"We have two females assaulted within a close time span within a close geographical area," Sgt. Steve Warneke said.
Warneke said both attacks had the same suspect description. Police report documents say the suspect choked both women in attempt to get them to pass out, but both were able to get away.
"It's hard to say what the motivation was for the assaults," Warneke said. "We know that there was some choking involved."
Denver police patrolling the area then noticed the suspect matching the description breaking into car. Police chased him across Speer and even leaped into Cherry Creek to take him into custody, but not before he injured a Denver police officer.
"We did have an officer injured during this event," Warneke said. "The suspect pushed the officer, which resulted in felony assault charges against a peace officer."
The injured officer was treated for minor injuries.
Jelks has not yet been officially charged in the assaults but police say he is a suspect. His bond has been set at $10,000.