The Sacramento Police Department has arrested 49-year-old Gary Baker for various sexual assault charges while off duty.  Gary Baker has been a police officer for the last 22 years with the Sacramento Police Department.

On Wednesday, November 25, 2010, the Sacramento Police Department responded to a report of a sexual assault to a 76-year-old female victim that occurred near 24^th Street and South Manor Drive.  At the time of the incident, DNA evidence was collected and uploaded to the CODIS System; however, a match was not located.  The investigation was complicated due to the victim having a pre-existing medical condition which made it hard for her to communicate.    

The initial incident was believed to have occurred in the afternoon hours of November 24, 2010, at the victim’s residence. The suspect forcibly entered into the victim’s apartment when she answered the door.  The suspect forced the victim to have sexual intercourse and to orally copulate him. The suspect was described as a male Black adult, 35-40 years old, 5’-6” to 5’-9”, medium build with black hair.   The victim provided information that the suspect was possibly a security guard or a law enforcement officer.  A criminal investigation was initiated regarding these allegations.

On Thursday, September 20, 2012, the victim reported the same suspect returned and again sexually assaulted her.  There was additional evidence collected, and detectives continued to follow up with any possible leads.

On Tuesday, December 11, 2012, the victim reported the same suspect entered her apartment and attempted to sexually assault her.  Investigators continued to examine evidence for any possible leads.   At the recommendation and assistance of detectives, the victim’s family installed a video surveillance camera at her home.

On Tuesday, December 18, 2012, the victim’s family advised detectives of possible surveillance footage of a suspect captured the day prior at the victim’s residence.  Investigators responded and recognized the images on the video to be Gary Baker.   The Police Department immediately launched an intense criminal and administrative investigation into Baker’s involvement in this case.   Baker was placed on administrative leave as the investigation continued.

A DNA comparison between the evidence collected in the 2010 assault and that of Gary Baker was expedited by the Sacramento County District Attorney’s Crime Lab.  The results of the DNA comparison positively identified Gary Baker as the suspect in the 2010 assault.   On December 20, 2012, Gary Baker was taken into police custody.  Baker was charged with rape, two counts of forcible oral copulation, attempt to commit oral copulation, assault with intent to commit rape and sexual battery,   

“We hold our officers to the highest standards on and off-duty.  We understand that an incident of this magnitude reflects negatively on the good men and women in law enforcement everywhere.  I can assure that this incident is not reflective of the dedicated officers that serve our community every day,” said Chief Rick Braziel.   

The Sacramento Police Department urges anyone with information pertaining to this crime to contact the Sacramento Police Department at (916) 732-0103.  Callers can remain anonymous.