Peoria Police arrest suspect in connection with 2009 sexual assault cold case

PHOENIX — A man was arrested in connection with a 2009 kidnapping and sexual assault of a child, the Peoria Police Department announced Thursday.

The arrest of 43-year-old Steven Paul Lipton was made in collaboration with the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office (MCAO) last Thursday.

According to Peoria police, Lipton was taken into custody due to a recent DNA match.

Details on the arrest and 2009 cold case

In 2009, an 8-year-old girl was reportedly approached by Lipton while she was walking home from school.

Lipton allegedly posed as police officer and friend of the girl’s mother in order to convince her to get into his car.

Peoria police said, Lipton then drove her to a nearby neighborhood and committed “heinous acts,” before releasing her.

A sexual assault kit was taken and tested at the time, but results were negative for a match.

The investigation was stagnant, until MCAO sent the kit for further testing using grant money part of its Sexual Assault Kit Initiative (SAKI).

Last month, the Department of Public Safety Laboratory reportedly received a match from the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS).

Detectives proceeded to arrange Lipton’s arrest with his probation officer and he was taken into custody without incident at the probation office in Cottonwood.

“SAKI funds have been critical in pursuing justice for victims of cold case sex assault,” Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell said in a press release.

Peoria police said, it does believe there may be additional victims or similar incidents that didn’t receive DNA testing or were not fully investigated.

The department urged anyone who believes they were victimized in a similar manner or have information to come forward.

Anyone with information related to the case is asked to call the Peoria Police Department Tip Line at 623-773-7045 or Detective Stehli at 623-773-8713.

CORRECTION: The first name of the suspect was incorrect in earlier versions of this story. The Peoria Police Department initially reported that his name was James Lipton, but his name is Steven.

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