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Published: Friday, Nov. 06, 2009

Updated: 2:36 pm Friday, Nov. 06, 2009

Teen girls in Atascadero report sexual assaults

A 23-year-old suspect is wanted in the investigation into the rape of one girl and assault of another

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Carlos Antonio Zarate, 23, of Atascadero.

| acornejo@thetribunenews.com

Detectives with the Atascadero Police Department are investigating the alleged sexual assaults of two girls early Sunday morning.

Police on Thursday were looking for suspect Carlos Antonio Zarate, 23, of Atascadero, and are asking for the public’s help in locating him.

Family members of the two unrelated girls, ages 14 and 15, reported the alleged assaults to the Police Department on Sunday.

The alleged assaults happened at a private residence in the 9000 block of Maduro Lane. It is not clear how or if the victims knew the suspect, according to police officials.

According to authorities, both of the girls were sexually assaulted and one was raped.

It is The Tribune’s policy not to identify alleged victims of sex crimes.

Police detectives are continuing the investigation and said they believe that Zarate is no longer in the immediate area.

Detectives describe him as a Hispanic man, 5-foot-7 and weighing 130 pounds. He has brown eyes and brown hair.

Investigators ask that anyone with information call the Atascadero Police Department at 461-5051.

Reach AnnMarie Cornejo at 781-7939.

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