DNA from grand theft arrest links suspect to kidnapping, sexual assault of Northridge boy, 14, in 2001: LAPD
02/16/2017 7:15 pm PST
By Nisha Gutierrez-Jaime, KTLA
LOS ANGELES -- (KTLA) -- A man has been arrested in connection with the 2001 kidnapping and sexual assault of a 14-year-old Northridge boy after DNA evidence gathered from an unrelated arrest linked him to the cold case, the Los Angeles Police Department announced.
Mirek Voyt, 54, was arrested on Feb. 14 at his home in Hollywood and charged with kidnapping to commit sexual assault in connection with a crime that happened on June 22, 2001, LAPD Capt. William Hayes said at a news conference Thursday.
Police said about 9:45 a.m. that morning, two teenage boys were walking to school in the area of Vanalden Avenue and Chase Street in Northridge when they were allegedly approached by Voyt.
“The suspect confronted the individuals with a handgun. One of the individuals was able to flee, but he unfortunately was able to kidnap one of the two young men who was 14,” Hayes said. “He took him to an undisclosed location where he sexually assaulted that young man and eventually after a period of time he released the young man.”
Hayes said at the time of the crime, Voyt lived in close proximity to the school. The victim told police he had been blindfolded while he was kidnapped and sexually assaulted.
Investigators gathered evidence including a DNA profile which was uploaded into a DNA database, but no suspects met the profile at that time.
A break in the case came in late 2016 when Voyt was arrested on an unrelated grand theft charge.
Voyt's DNA was put into a database as a result of his arrest, and there was a match linking him to the 2001 Northridge case involving the 14-year-old boy, Hayes said.
Hayes said investigators believe there may be more potential victims and encourage them to contact police.
Voyt was being held without bail.
Police said prior to his arrest, Voyt worked in a management position at a grocery store chain.
Anyone with information about this crime, or similar crimes, is asked to contact LAPD Det. Carla Zuniga at (213) 486-6910. Anyone wishing to remain anonymous can contact LA Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477.
