Delaware

Man Accused of Raping University of Delaware Student

A man is accused of raping a University of Delaware student on Halloween.

Authorities identified 28-year-old Candido Tepoz as the suspect after an investigation led police to the vehicle where the 19-year-old student said the sexual assault occurred.

The student told police a man offered her a ride home and then sexually assaulted her inside a vehicle before dropping her off at a residence hall, according to investigators.

Officials searched surveillance video and license plate records -- leading them to the vehicle where the sexual assault occurred.

University of Delaware police told UDaily they located the owner of the vehicle, but another person -- Tepoz -- regularly drove the car.

Tepoz,  who is originally from Mexico but currently living in the Newark, Delaware area, was found during a traffic stop on Kirkwood Highway, according to police. He allegedly gave investigators a fake name, but the student positively identified Tepoz, authorities said.

Police arrested Topez and charged him with rape, unlawful sexual contact, unlawful imprisonment and other related offenses. He was arraigned on $65,000 secured bail and committed to the Howard R. Young Correctional Institution.

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If you have any more information on the incident, please call the University of Delaware Police at 302-831-2222. 

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