Man arrested in 1999 cold case rape of pregnant woman

DENVER – The cold-case rape of a pregnant woman in Denver that happened in 1999 might finally be solved.

Denver District Attorney Mitch Morrissey announced Wednesday his office has charged Roberto Valenzuela, 61, with second-degree kidnapping and first-degree sexual assault in the case.

The alleged assault happened in November 1999. A woman who was 5 months pregnant at the time was out walking after a fight with her boyfriend when Valenzuela offered her a ride.

The woman obliged, but was raped once she got into the car.

Investigators with Denver’s Cold Case Project were able to identify Valenzuela as a suspect and police arrested him earlier this week.

Valenzuela remains in custody on a $250,000 bond and is scheduled to be formally advised on his charges Sept. 23.