A man suspected of fatally stabbing a 3-year-old at a clothing factory in downtown Los Angeles Monday has been linked to at least one other crime, police said Wednesday.
Ricardo Augusto Utuy, 34, was arrested Monday after allegedly stabbing a 3-year-old girl at a sewing shop in downtown LA.
Ruby Vasquez, nicknamed "Baby Ruby," had just been picked up from day care to be with her mother when the suspect stabbed the girl without warning, police said.
The child was taken to a hospital by a private car where she later died.
Witnesses said that Ruby's parents work at the sewing shop. They would often pick up the girl from day care and take her to work with them, they added.
Although Utuy and the girl's mother worked together, they had "minimal contact" with each other, officials said.
After an hours-long manhunt, Utuy surrendered hours later at the Los Angeles Police Department's Rampart Division. Authorities confiscated a knife and gun that Utuy had in his possession.
News
Top news of the day
Utuy, a Guatemalan national, was arrested and booked for murder. His bail is set at $1 million.
After seeing Utuy's photograph, an additional victim came forward. The victim, an adult female, provided a statement linking Utuy to an unrelated crime committed months ago, according to the LAPD.
"We now have reason to believe there are other unreported crimes that we still want to learn about," LAPD Detective Supervisor Moses Castillo said at a news conference Wednesday.
The "extensive investigations" into both crimes have led detectives to believe there may be additional victims. Detectives are asking anyone who recognizes Utuy to come forward.
They are looking to speak with a Hispanic man named Alex. Detectives don't know Alex's last name, but told NBC4 that he may have had contact with Utuy in the past. His relationship to the suspect is unknown.
Alex is not connected to either of the two crimes, police said.
Police expect additional charges to be filed Thursday when the case is presented to the Los Angeles County district attorney's office.
