DNA match links Md. man to dozens of crimes, assaults

A Silver Spring man faces 38 charges and life in jail after Prince George's County police say he sexually assaulted two women in October. (WTOP/Megan Cloherty)
Both sexual assaults on Oct. 29 occurred behind this apartment complex in Chillum, Md. in the nearby woods, police say. (WTOP/Megan Cloherty)
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CHILLUM, Md. — A Silver Spring man faces 38 charges and life in prison after Prince George’s County police say he sexually assaulted two women in October.

A DNA test also brought up many more offenses.

Emerita Chicas Savala, 33, faces dozens of charges, including two counts of rape, five counts of armed robbery and 10 counts of assault.

Investigators say Savala sexually assaulted a 24-year-old woman in the woods in Chillum, Md. Oct. 29. Twenty minutes later, he approached a group of teens, police say.

“Once again, he displayed a handgun and then sexually assaulted a 14-year-old girl,” says Julie Parker, Prince Georges County police spokeswoman.

A DNA match of one of the victim’s bodies led detectives to a sex assault case in Montgomery County earlier this year.

Detectives from both counties identified a suspect and confirmed his identity with victims.

“While both women are now physically fine, they were relieved … and grateful to hear that this suspect is in custody,” Parker says.

Savala is being held on armed robbery charges in Montgomery County, which police say happened eight hours after the sexual assaults.

Given the array of charges, investigators are looking for any other possible offenses Savala could have committed.

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