REDLANDS – Police are still seeking a suspect in a murder case earlier this year, which was connected to a 10-year-old kidnap-rape case, linked by DNA evidence that was matched by police.
This sketch was created based on the previous victim's description.
Sylvia Mark Flores’ body was found on Feb. 26 in an orange grove near Almond Ave., west of Alabama Street. Flores, 23, of Perris, was believed to be a prostitute working in San Bernardino when she was last seen in a videotape at a gas station just before her death, shortly before 10 a.m. on Feb. 25. Flores’ remains were discovered by Sharon Polich, of Redlands.
When the same DNA on Flores’ body turned up in a 2003 kidnapping and rape case, police sought the victim of that assault in order to get a description of that assailant. The male suspect, who is still unknown, had made contact with the unnamed female victim shortly before midnight on April 19, 2003 in the areas of Highland and San Bernardino. Police said that personal property belonging to Flores was recovered near the area where the 2003 rape and assault had occurred.
Sylvia Flores is the latest of at least two victims of the wanted suspect
The victim, according to police reports, had voluntarily accepted a ride from the suspect, who drove her to the 2200 block of West Washington Street in San Bernardino, where he forcibly raped her. She escaped and notified police, while the suspect fled the scene and was never identified or apprehended. DNA samples were collected from that victim and submitted to the FBI’s DNA Index System database, where they recently matched with DNA collected from Flores.
Redlands Police detectives had interviewed the 2003 victim and obtained a composite sketch of the suspect, described at that time as a white male in his late 30s to early 40s, 5-feet-6 inches, approximately 250 pounds with black hair and a receding hairline. The vehicle used in the 2003 crime was described as a burnt, or dull, orange small car, possibly with only two seats and a likely hatchback and black interior.
Police said Flores had texted friends and called them around noon on Feb. 25, which was the last contact she had with anyone.
Flores' body was discovered in an orange grove on Almond Ave. near Alabama St.
Police believe the suspect has a strong familiarity with the area where the 2003 victim was assaulted, a short distance from West Seventh St. in San Bernardino, which was where additional evidence from Flores’ murder was obtained.
Redlands Police released a 1-minute, 25-second videotape from a Jack In The Box in which Flores was last seen.
Read More:
Redlands Daily Facts: DNA ties Flores’ suspect to 2003 San Bernardino/Highland kidnap, rape and assault
The Sun: Redlands Police release a composite sketch of murder suspect in Sylvia Flores case
Redlands Patch: Police Release Video of Murder Victim Before Body Found in Redlands Grove
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