Story changes in Janas Way assault

A reported stranger rape of a 15-year-old girl in Carson City on Thursday afternoon is more than meets the eye, according to officials.

At 4:47 p.m. Carson City dispatchers received a call that a girl had been attacked in her Janas Way home by an unknown assailant.

When investigators arrived, they found the sliding glass door to her home shattered by a rock and a kick mark on her bedroom door, said Detective Daniel Gonzales. She told police she heard a noise outside and when she went to investigate, the man burst in, chased her down into her bedroom and sexually assault her, said Gonzales.

The girl gave a description of the assailant and investigators spoke with neighbors who also reported seeing a man matching the description in the neighborhood.

But as the investigation progressed, detectives ended up at the home of the girl's boyfriend and the case began to unravel, said Gonzales.

The boyfriend said he wasn't involved, but noted his 16-year-old friend had sent him a frantic phone call stating he'd thrown a rock through the sliding glass window in an attempt to steal a $100 bill he'd seen the girl put in her dresser.

Police contacted the suspect and he admitted he'd tried to go back to her house after having consensual sex with her to take the money. He thought the house was empty, but when he entered and ran to her bedroom she emerged, catching him inside.

After pleading with her to not call the police, he fled on foot, said Gonzales.

The girl then told investigators that she'd invited the boy over and the two engaged in sex. At some point, she said, she told the boy no.

The teen was arrested on burglary and home invasion charges. A case for sexual assault is being forwarded to the District Attorney's Office for review.

Sheriff Ken Furlong said the activity on Janas Way prompted several residents to send out text messages warning of a rapist on the loose.

The investigation has since revealed that was not the case, Furlong said, and he hopes to allay any fears in the neighborhood.

"While the matter continues to be under investigation, the suspect, known to the teenage girl, has been taken into custody. No one in the area should be in fear," said Furlong. "I was concerned because of the large number of children in the area that people would begin to live in fear when there was not a need for it. Thanks to cooperation from teenagers, and some information from kids right there on the block, we were able to get the suspect into custody."

Anyone with information on this case is asked to call Detective Dena Lacy at 283-7854.