Arlington Sex Assault, Break-In: Police Arrest Suspect

ARLINGTON COUNTY, VA -- The Arlington County Police Department’s Special Victims Unit has made an arrest in the case of a sexual assault which occurred at a residence in the 3900 block of 4th Street N. in the early morning hours Sunday, police announced Friday.

Anibal Rodriguez Castellanos, 36, of Arlington, is charged with Nighttime Burglary while armed and Attempt Rape, according to police. Rodriguez Castellanos is currently being held with no bond in the Arlington County Detention Facility.

At approximately 2 a.m. Sunday, an unknown male subject unlawfully entered a female victim’s apartment and sexually assaulted her while using the threat of a knife to hold her against her will, police said. During the attack, the victim was able to escape and lock herself in a bathroom where she called for help. The male suspect fled the residence on foot and was observed by a neighbor leaving the scene.

Following interviews with the victim and witnesses, a composite sketch of the suspect was developed. A combination of evidence collected during the investigation and the accounts of several people from the neighborhood led to the identification of Anibal Rodriguez Castellanos. Members of the Tactical Unit, First District Policing Team and Detectives of the Special Victims Unit apprehended Anibal Rodriguez Castellanos at his home in Arlington.

Special Victim’s Unit detectives continue to collect evidence and ask anyone who knows this individual or details surrounding the June 19th incident, to please contact Detective P. Pena at 703.228.4183 or ppena@arlingtonva.us. To report information anonymously, please contact the Arlington County Crime Solvers at 866.411.TIPS (8477).

PHOTO of Anibal Rodriguez Castellanos courtesy of Arlington County Police