Clown arrested in 2002 kidnap, rape of 12-year-old girl

A professional clown was arrested Friday on suspicion of kidnapping and raping a girl nine years ago in Fullerton.

Jose Guadalupe Jimenez, 41, of Anaheim, was arrested in connection  with the crimes that occurred just before midnight on Jan. 19, 2002, when a man dressed as a clown kidnapped and raped a 12-year-old girl in Fullerton.

The suspect grabbed the girl from the corner of Lemon and Commonwealth, drove her to a nearby school parking lot and raped her, said Sgt. Andrew Goodrich of the Fullerton Police Department.

The man then took her to a motel off Harbor Boulevard and molested her again. The girl escaped when he left the car to speak with the motel clerk.

When the police conducted their investigation in 2002, the only physical description was a male Latino in a clown mask and wearing clown makeup.

But forensic experts collected DNA from the girl, and it was eventually placed in the state database system, awaiting a possible match.

Goodrich said Jimenez was arrested in 2010 on other charges, and his DNA was submitted to the database.

Detectives learned last month they had a hit, confirming that Jimenez was the suspect in the 2002 case. Jimenez was arrested in Newport Beach.

They learned he has been working as a professional clown for the last nine years, using the name “El Tin Larin." He is described as 5-feet-6 and 195 pounds with brown hair and eyes.

“Who knows how many other possible victims there might be?" Goodrich said. "We’re hoping that any past victims might recognize him, both with or without his clown makeup, and come forward."

Police are asking anyone with information to call Det. Kathryn Hamel at (714) 738-5327 or the front desk at (714) 738-6715.

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College of the Canyons student allegedly tries to videotape boy in restroom

-- Richard Winton

Photo: Jose Guadalupe Jimenez as a clown, right, and in his arrest picture. Credit: Fullerton Police Department.

Comments

[Citizen 1001]

I heard they found blood on the clown suit too. That's the worse part. How horrible.

[justinnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn]

captain howdy. your scum. this isnt funny at all. and your a horrible person for even insinuating that someone should make a joke about this. you would have a very different attitude if this 12 year old girl was your daughter or sister or relative. shame on you.

[JOANNE]

wrote a big fat comment but cant find it now.i may of posted it already but without me details etc. anyway its ended with jo ipswich.

[Melissa]

So, who thinks it's "normal, healthy" behavior for an adult to dress up in creepy makeup and a wig, then seek out children to play with? I'm pretty sure that the many adults that have a hearty fear/phobia of clowns, "get" that it's a sick individual behind the mask. I seriously don't know who even came up with the idea that hiring a clown to entertain your kids was a good idea. There's NOTHING funny about them. The whole idea is just creepy.

[julian]

Even without makeup this clown is freakish looking..

[Protonix]

I cant wait for what they do this clown in prison!!!