Twenty-five years ago in October 1995, an 18-year-old female victim was walking in the 8800 block of Indiana Avenue when a stranger attacked her. The suspect forced her into a nearby apartment complex where he committed a sexual assault. Investigative leads were exhausted and unfortunately, this remained a cold case until DNA evidence was able to identify the suspect. Detectives submitted the case to the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office and an arrest warrant was issued for Ralph Leslie Kroll, 49-years-old.
In October 2020, the Riverside Police Department’s METRO (SWAT) Team, utilizing their resources and partnership with the United States Marshals Service Fugitive Task Force, located and safely apprehended Kroll at his home. He was later booked into the Robert Presley Detention Center for charges of rape by force, kidnapping, and the use of a deadly weapon by a sex offender. Kroll is currently being held on 1 million dollars bail.
The METRO Team has several officers and a sergeant assigned that have been deputized as United States Marshals. Their primary mission is to provide service to the City of Riverside, but also to give assistance to the U.S. Marshals Service Fugitive Task Force. The close working relationship between both agencies enhances their criminal investigative abilities and allows for the quick apprehension of suspects who have fled the city, county or state. These partnerships also help to quickly locate and arrest criminals who may flee to Riverside after committing crimes in other cities.
Anyone with additional information regarding this investigation and arrest should contact Detective Karla Beler at (951) 353-7138 or [email protected]. Those wishing to remain anonymous can email [email protected] or utilize the Riverside Police Department’s mobile app “Submit a Tip” feature while referencing report number P395281060.
Republished courtesy of Riverside (Ca.) Police Department. Photo courtesy of RPD.