Suspect arrested for Palo Alto kidnap, rape, attempted murder Crimes & Incidents, posted by Editor, Palo Alto Online, on May 27, 2010 at 12:07 pm
Police have arrested a suspect in connection with the kidnap, rape and attempted murder of a Palo Alto woman on early Saturday (May 22). Lionel Blanks, 36, of Santa Clara was arrested near his home at 5 p.m. Wednesday by Santa Clara police detectives, according to Palo Alto police spokeswoman Lt. Sandra Brown.
Read the full story here Web Link posted Thursday, May 27, 2010, 12:00 PM
Posted by Not Overwhelmed, a resident of the Barron Park neighborhood, on May 27, 2010 at 1:23 pm
Let's see ..
The Santa Clara Crime Lab examines evidence brought it it.
Fingerprints are collected and matched in all known databases to determine identify of perpetrator.
(DNA might have been used, given a longer timeline.)
A Warrant is issued by a Judge, once the perp's identity is established.
The Santa Clara Police go along to provide jurisdictional authority.
An arrest is made very quickly in this case.
The perp is put away in the County jail.
Seems like the PA PD did its part, as did all of the other players in this County-wide law enforcement web. In all likelihood, had this attack occurred in Mountain View, or Sunnyvale, the results would have been the same in these towns too.
Posted by Do you mind?!, a resident of the Downtown North neighborhood, on May 27, 2010 at 2:11 pm
Not Overwhelmed - So what's your point? That citizens shouldn't be grateful or express their appreciation for their town's police work/dept.? So, you're suggesting it was a simple solution or a straightforward case? I don't read anyone going overboard with their comments. Just your comment which serves as a downer to all of us.
Thank you PAPD, other Law Enforcement agencies, witnesses and grateful residents!
Posted by Michelle, a resident of the Midtown neighborhood, on May 27, 2010 at 2:24 pm
Thank you PAPD for all your hardwork. It doesn't seem to show in the article, of course, but I heard all the hours that were worked in this case and I want to say thank you!
Posted by Tim, a resident of the Crescent Park neighborhood, on May 27, 2010 at 3:03 pm
Officers were working overtime to solve this case. Remember this when you see a officer's overtime in the papers at the end of the year. Great job PAPD!!
Posted by Nayeli, a resident of the Midtown neighborhood, on May 27, 2010 at 3:23 pm
Thank you, PAPD!
Let this entire horrific ordeal serve as a warning to other women in our community. Be careful! If you are going to go out, make an extra effort to be safe.
Posted by Sylvia, a resident of the Midtown neighborhood, on May 27, 2010 at 4:03 pm
So glad to read that this predator is off the streets. Thanks so much to all police involved in his capture. I'm sure it's of some consolation to the victim knowing he's in custody. I felt so badly reading what happened to her. I think all women can imagine the fear she must have felt. I wish her a speedy recovery, physically and mentally.
Posted by Tiffany, a resident of the Midtown neighborhood, on May 27, 2010 at 4:31 pm
I am relieved to hear of an arrest in this case. I felt so bad for the victim when I saw people were questioning the story already (based on scant details from an article) from her inability to describe the suspect, the hour she was out and so on. I can't imagine how deeply traumatized she must be and wish her much support on recovering and reclaiming her life and sense of security.
Posted by P'd off, a resident of the Barron Park neighborhood, on May 27, 2010 at 6:39 pm
They better have a DNA evidence. They have the habit of thinking they are right. It is not about the witness. We saw how many of those convicted are now coming out of jail one after the other after DNA exonerations. They were only in jail because they were identified by some idiot who thought that was the right person. He's black so it must be him is no longer a valid witness identification. Get science involved and get out of your stereotyping mindset.
Posted by silly, a resident of the South of Midtown neighborhood, on May 27, 2010 at 7:55 pm
P'd off,
You miss the point. You don't say, "I'm glad a dangerous monster is off the street," you say, "they're racist stereotyping, etc." Nice objective, logical perspective....Let him rent a room at your house then.
Posted by happy resident, a resident of the Palo Alto Hills neighborhood, on May 27, 2010 at 8:08 pm
Good work PAPD and all the other agencies involved ! The goal is now to keep him in jail for a real long time. Maybe they should neutralize him. It will never happen again, and it has nothing to do with race or coulture. It is a concept for everyone. Don't let your love ones go alone at night by then selves.
Posted by homegirl, a resident of another community, on May 27, 2010 at 9:57 pm
Hey P'd off-
Of course the Cops have something solid. You don't really think in this day and age in this CITY that anything besides SOLID EVIDENCE will cause an arrest of this magnitude, do you?
That's probally why it took nearly a week to catch the suspect. It doesn't happen overnight like on TV. My educated guess is that fingerprints and/or DNA solved this one. We shall see, as he will have his day in court. There are several lawyers who allegedly 'specialize' in defending these types of cases,(although unsuccessfully) so I am sure all of the facts will get out here in due time. [Portion removed by Palo Alto Online staff.]
Posted by Walter_E_Wallis, a resident of the Midtown neighborhood, on May 28, 2010 at 6:29 am Walter_E_Wallis is a member (registered user) of Palo Alto Online
Posted by Cynthia, a resident of another community, on Jun 3, 2010 at 9:28 pm
I was a victim of an attempted rape and was stabbed ten times, I did not receive as much attention as this poor woman who was snatched out of her Mercedes. Since there was no description or any other info besides location and make of car, I have to assume the rest. My newborn baby was slightly injured also but wasn't mentioned at all in the short paragraph describing my attack in the local newspaper.
I remember the paramedics making jokes about me and my baby (like I wasn't even there) while stuffing tubes down my throat with no warning! The police never even questioned me, my family called the police and the guy was arrested. I did go to a hearing to show the court the stab wounds in my neck. He received 10 years and served 5 to return and do it to more people. I was not raped, but I fought him and was stabbed repeatedly as a punishment. I do sympathize with the victim, however, I do wonder why was she sleeping in her car at night on the street? When did it become safe to do that?
Posted by Mike, a resident of Menlo Park, on Feb 12, 2013 at 10:31 pm
This female was sleeping with this man nobody looked into this case closely. The DA twisted the case..this man was innocent. Her boyfriend beat her. The truth will come out!!
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