Update: Fairfax Police Release More Photos of Serial Mall Slasher

Update 12:31 p.m. July 27: Police have released new photos of the suspect, taken from security cameras at the June 20 incident at Marshalls.

Tuesday July 26.Fairfax County Police are investigating reports of a man who follows young women in retail stores, cuts them and slips away.

Most recently, officers responded to the Forever XXI Store in Fair Oaks Mall Monday, July 25 around 5:30 p.m. for a report of a woman who suffered a one and a half inch wound in her buttocks.

Police spokesperson Lucy Caldwell said a similar incident occurred June 18 at Tysons Corner Mall.

At Fairfax Oaks Mall incident, the 18-year-old victim was shopping when she noticed clothes that had fallen off of a rack behind her and saw a man bending down to pick them up. She abruptly felt a sharp pain and considered that one of the hangars had struck her. A short time later, she discovered her denim shorts had been slashed; her buttocks had been cut and were bleeding. Store employees quickly contacted security who summonsed police.

Detectives indicate that this attack may be linked to four others that have taken place in Fairfax County retail stores since February. The most recent case occurred in a Marshall’s at Greenbriar Shopping Center on June 20 around 2:45 p.m.

In each case, the suspect distracts his victim before cutting them. The victims have all been teen-aged women or in their early 20’s.

The suspect is described as Hispanic, late 20’s, around 5 feet 6 inches tall and heavy-set. He wore white shorts and a short-sleeved shirt in the July 25 assault.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Solvers by phone at 1-866-411-TIPS/8477, e-mail at www.fairfaxcrimesolvers.org or text “TIP187” plus your message to CRIMES/274637 or call Fairfax County Police at 703-691-2131.