A mansuspected of sexually assaulting and burning an elderly Grand Prairiewoman at her home apparently told her his name and type of employment,police said.
Policed used that information to track down the suspect and take him into custody.
Daniel Deshawn Neal (right), 23, of Chicago was arrested about 8:30 p.m.Tuesday – a day after he allegedly gained entry into a 78-year-oldwoman’s home in the 1800 block of Sunnyvale Road.
Thevictim was taken to Parkland Memorial Hospital in Dallas withsecond-degree burns from her stomach to her chin. She is expected torecover from her injuries, said Detective John Brimmer, a Grand Prairiepolice spokesman.
Police are pursuing a charge of aggravated sexual assault against Neal.
“He was partof a magazine solicitation crew,” Brimmer said. “The driver drops themoff and they go door-to-door and they meet at the end of the day.That’s how we caught up with him.”
After the sexualassault, Lt. Randy Willis, an arson investigator for the Grand PrairieFire Department, located another magazine salesman who was knocking ondoors in that neighborhood, police said
Investigatorslearned from him that Neal was working with a group in Fort Worth. Nealwas arrested in Fort Worth after investigators from there and GrandPrairie set up surveillance near Highway 820 and White Settlement Road,where the crew had planned to meet.
Neal briefly scuffled with officers and was taken to the Grand Prairie Jail, Brimmer said.
The victim told police she allowed a college aspirant named “Daniel”into her home shortly before 2 p.m. He told her he was sellingmagazines to get points as part of a “communications exercise.”
After sexually assaulting the woman, the man poured rubbing alcohol onher chest and set her on fire, police said.
Brimmerwarned residents to ask questions about solicitors before inviting theminto their homes. He said solicitors are required to get permissionfrom the city before canvassing neighborhoods. The group that Neal waswith did not have that permission, Brimmer said.
“Anytime someone comes to your door, you need to ask for their solicitor’spermit,” he said. “The frail and the elderly can easily become victims.If someone is at your door without a permit, you need to call police.”