TEMPE, AZ — A man has been arrested in connection to a string of sexual assault-related incidents in a Tempe neighborhood.
Tempe police announced Saturday night that 24-year-old Djimon Boggs was arrested in joint efforts with the U.S. Marshals Arizona WANTED Violent Offender Task Force.
"We are immensely grateful for the unwavering dedication and tireless efforts of our officers, investigators, and our invaluable partners at the state and federal level. Together, we have successfully apprehended the sexual assault suspect connected to the recent incidents. This achievement would not have been possible without the collective strength, support, and trust of our incredible community. Thank you for your vigilance, cooperation, and commitment to keeping Tempe safe,” said Chief Kenneth McCoy on behalf of the Tempe Police Department.
In Bogg's initial court appearance, a prosecutor with the Maricopa County Attorney's Office requested he be held non-bondable, though the court gave a $1 million cash-only bond. In the event that he is released, Boggs will be placed under house arrest with an electronic monitoring device.
County Attorney Rachel Mitchell provided the following statement regarding Boggs' bond:
“While we asked that the suspect be held without any opportunity to post bail, we are hopeful that the $1 Million cash-only bond imposed by the Court will be sufficient to protect our community. Bond serves two purposes: It ensures that the community remains safe and assures the Court that the accused will appear at future court dates. We have been and will continue to seek appropriately high bonds for those who are accused of endangering the people of Maricopa County. We have seen the low bond experiment fail in cities throughout the United States. Its days end at Maricopa County.”
Boggs was arrested after he was questioned by police and agreed to provide a DNA sample, according to court paperwork. During questioning, Boggs reportedly admitted to breaking in and threatening the victims.
Boggs is accused in three incidents.
Police say the first incident occurred at about 4 a.m. on Sept. 15 near the area of McClintock and University drives. A man reportedly entered a home through an open garage door and approached a woman while she was sleeping. A roommate startled the suspect before a sexual assault occurred at the home and the suspect fled before police arrived.
VIDEO: Tempe PD provides update on the investigation on October 12
On Oct. 6, around 3:40 a.m., officers responded to a burglary in progress in the same area. Officers learned a man entered through an unlocked front door and sexually assaulted a victim while she was asleep in her bed.
Then, in the same area just before 6 a.m. on Oct. 12, the suspect entered another residence through an unlocked back door and approached a victim, in her 70s, while she was sleeping. The suspect tried to sexually assault her before he was startled by a roommate and ran away.
Tempe PD officials say all of the victims are female but not all of them are students at nearby Arizona State University.
Boggs has been booked into jail and is facing several charges, including sexual assault, burglary, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, and trespassing.
Police provided surveillance video showing the suspect:
