Overview

• Luis Gustavo Prudente Tapia, 24, was arrested last week and booked on attempted second-degree murder, kidnapping, sexual assault and multiple aggravated assault counts in the Aug. 14 attack.
• Phoenix police say DNA from the August case matched evidence from the June 13, 2024 killing of 64-year-old Margie New in the same alley, and detectives have named Tapia a suspect in that homicide.
• Detectives report that Tapia admitted he approached the woman for sex, offered her $100, had sex with her against her will, and hit, kicked and jumped on her, while refusing to provide a DNA sample.
• The victim was found near 44th Street and Oak Street after a 911 call, suffered severe fractures and other injuries, was hospitalized in critical condition and was later released.
• Investigators say a woman’s tip about a roommate’s comments and social-media video clips helped identify Tapia, leading to a search warrant and his Sept. 20 arrest in south Phoenix.