Police arrest two rape suspects after DNA testing

HOUSTON

Marlon Jovel Hernandez, 23, and Mariano Jimmy Soto Jr., 29, were both arrested on aggravated sexual assault charges, according to a Houston Police Department statement.

Hernandez faces two counts of aggravated sexual assault after he allegedly confessed to two incidents in October and November that took place at an apartment complex in the 9300 block of Town Park in southwest Houston. He is accused of breaking into his victims' apartments and sexually assaulting them.

Soto Jr. is accused of raping a girl in June at Airline Drive near the 610 North Loop in north Houston. He allegedly picked up his victim and offered her a ride. He then drove the victim to a second location where he sexually assaulted her. He then drove her to a third location and forced her out of the vehicle.

Detectives say both suspects were successfully linked to the cases through testing of DNA evidence by the HPD Crime Lab.