NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) — Almost exactly a year later, New Haven police say they’ve arrested a suspect in the assault of a woman running near Yale Avenue. He’s also been implicated in a prior sexual assault.
Crisleonel Cruzado, 25, of New Haven was arrested on Oct. 11 and charged with first-degree unlawful restraint, second-degree assault, first-degree reckless endangerment, and second-degree breach of peace.
Man shot and killed after altercation with machete in New Haven The charges stem from around 6:16 a.m. on Oct. 12, 2023, when police say a 38-year-old woman was running in the area of Yale Avenue and Edgewood Avenue when an unknown male approached her and brandished a firearm.
According to police, the man tried to force her into a wooded area nearby, striking her in the face in the process. She was able to get away and returned home while the suspect reportedly ran into Edgewood Park.
“She was able to get away and run to help to one of her friends and then she reported some injuries from there,” New Haven Police Special Victims Unit Detective Samantha Romano said.
The victim was treated by American Medical Response for her injuries and police said they used K9s to search for the suspect. However, he was not found at that time.
New Haven sees 150% increase in motor vehicle thefts Cruzado was also implicated in a sexual assault case from 2018, during which police said a female was assaulted by a male suspect armed with a knife.
The incident happened in the area of Chapel Street and Yale Avenue.
Cruzado was charged with first-degree aggravated sexual assault in that case.
The two women were assaulted on Yale Avenue five years apart; now in 2024 an arrest was made using Cruzado’s DNA.
“Through the 2023 case we had gotten a DNA hit which linked to the 2018 case,” Romano said.
The New Haven man is facing numerous charges including first-degree aggravated sexual assault and first-degree unlawful restraint.
“Cameras in the city as well as neighborhood cameras helped in this investigation,” Romano said.
Romano has these safety tips for women and men out jogging or even going for a walk: chose a well-lit area that you are familiar with, jog with a friend, bring your cell phone, share your location and wear bright reflective clothing.
All things Sarah Yoder does on her daily jogs in the Yale Avenue area.
“It’s really scary and I really like run in the evening time after work, so this time of year is when that window gets more and more narrow,” Yoder said. “I take my phone with me, and I usually let someone know usually my boyfriend who I live with that I’m going for a run, and he has my location, but I think about it, and I watch the sidewalks when I’m running.”
He’s being held on two $250,000 bonds and is scheduled for arraignment on Oct. 15.
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