DNA Evidence in Murder Linked to 2003 Kidnap, Rape and Assault

Investigators are seeking the public’s help in identifying a murder suspect after police matched DNA evidence from the February 2013 case to the unidentified suspect in 10-year-old kidnap, rape and assault case in the San Bernardino area. On the evening of Feb. 26, 2013, the body of 23-year-old Sylvia Marie Flores, of Perris, was found by a resident in an orange grove on Almond Avenue west of Alabama Street in Redlands. Detectives believe Flores was a prostitute working in the City of San Bernardino at the time of her death. Flores was last seen at a gas station at 6th and H streets in San Bernardino shortly before 10 a.m. Monday, Feb. 25. She last spoke with her friends via text messages and phone calls at about noon that day. DNA evidence recovered from Flores’ remains has been matched to that of an unknown suspect involved in a kidnap, rape and assault in the areas of Highland and San Bernardino in 2003. Personal property belonging to Flores was also recovered near the area where the 2003 rape and assault occurred. Shortly before midnight on April 19, 2003, the suspect contacted a female victim in the 25000 block of Baseline Avenue in the City of Highland. The victim voluntarily accepted a ride from the suspect who drove her to the 2200 block of West Washington Street in the City of San Bernardino where he forcibly raped the victim. The victim escaped and police were notified. The suspect fled the scene and was never identified or apprehended. DNA samples were collected from the victim and submitted to the FBI’s Combined DNA Index System database (CODIS) where they recently were matched to the DNA profile collected from Flores. Redlands Police detectives interviewed the 2003 victim and detectives were able to obtain a composite sketch of the suspect. The victim described the suspect as a white male in his late 30s to early 40s, 5 feet 6 inches tall, approximately 250 pounds with black hair and a receding hairline. He had light or pale complexion and no visible piercings, scars or tattoos at the time. The vehicle used in the 2003 crime is described as a small burnt-orange or dull-orange car, possibly with only two seats and likely a hatchback, with a black interior. The victim from the 2003 kidnapping was assaulted and raped within a short distance of West 7th Street in San Bernardino where police located additional evidence in Flores’ murder, leading detectives to believe the suspect is familiar with that area. Redlands Police are seeking the public’s help in identifying this suspect. Anyone with additional information is asked to contact Detective Corey Hunt at 909-798-7688 or Redlands Police Dispatch at 909-798-7681. Anonymous tips can be provided by texting 274637 using the keyword “REDTIP.”