A man investigators believe is a serial rapist is in custody more than 13 years after the first case was reported to police.

All of the rape investigations took place in the same area of the city’s north side between 2013-2024. The Marion County Prosecutor announced May 6 that Leonel Catalán-Torreblanca is facing 30 counts tied to the cases.

The 49-year-old’s charges include rape, sexual battery, criminal confinement, kidnapping, burglary and strangulation. Catalán-Torreblanca, who is in the country illegally, had his DNA collected during an unrelated Homeland Security Investigations case. It was matched to the rape cases using the FBI’s DNA database, CODIS.

The details about how Catalán-Torreblanca entered the country or what the other investigation was about were not released. He’s been in custody since April 23.

“This arrest is a clear reminder that advances in DNA technology and the FBI CODIS database are powerful tools in identifying and apprehending violent offenders,” said FBI Indianapolis Special Agent in Charge Timothy J. O’Malley.

“For years, investigators refused to let these survivors be forgotten, continuing to pursue every lead until DNA technology identified the defendant,” Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears said. “No matter how much time passes, our commitment to seeking justice never wavers.”

A probable cause affidavit for his arrest, listing the details of each rape, paints a picture of a man who would sneak into women’s apartments, sometimes wearing a mask and gardening gloves. He would try to cover their mouths and faces with their own clothing or items before leaving after the violent assaults.

“These aren’t just cases. These are real victims and lives forever changed,” IMPD Deputy Chief of Investigations Kendale Adams said. “We recognize all that these victims endured, and I hope this arrest sends a clear message. IMPD will continue to work relentlessly to hold offenders accountable and seek justice for those who are victimized.” 

Leonel Catalan-Torreblanca’s DNA allegedly tied to 5 rapes

At 2:45 p.m. on Jan. 1, 2024, police were called about a welfare check at an apartment complex in the 9500 block of Benchmark Drive.

The woman they met at the scene told detectives it was around midnight that she awoke to a man standing over her bed. After sexually assaulting her, he instructed her to sit inside the tub in her bathroom. She stayed in the tub for hours unsure if he had left. At some point she ran warm water because she was cold.

When she saw it was daylight outside and didn’t hear any noise, she grabbed a pair of scissors and ran out the front door to get help from a neighbor. She was taken to St. Vincent Hospital for an examination.

Police report of a rape at the same complex in 2016

At 5:56 a.m. on Oct. 23, 2016, police were called to a nearby apartment complex at a unit in the 9500 block of Guilford Drive. A woman told a detective that she fell asleep around 3 a.m. on her couch; when she woke up, feeling hot, so she opened her patio door and left the screen door closed.

Around 4 a.m., she woke back up to a man standing in front of her. He tied a shirt around her mouth and took one of her scarves to tie her hands behind her back.

During the assault, she asked him why he was doing this, and court documents state that he said, “Because I like it and because I like you.” After the assault he left through the patio door.

Another police report at the same complex in 2016

The month before, at 7:46 a.m. Sept. 3, 2016, police were called to the same apartment complex one street over in the 9500 block of Carlyle Drive. A woman told police a man had come into her apartment and raped her, according to court documents, and she was taken to Community Hospital North for an exam.

• A new Prime Video documentary chronicles Kyle Larson’s attempts to complete “The Double.”
• “The Double” involves racing in the Indianapolis 500 and Coca-Cola 600 on the same day.
• Only four other drivers have attempted the 1,100-mile feat, with Tony Stewart being the only one to finish both races.
• Larson’s attempts in 2024 and 2025 were hindered by weather, penalties, and crashes.

INDIANAPOLIS — Despite knowing the odds were against him, that it would take perfect weather, impeccable timing, the travel gods aligning and everything he had within his soul, Kyle Larson went for “The Double” twice, a feat in racing only four other drivers have attempted.

“The Double” is a maniacal mission to complete 1,100 miles in one day at two of the most iconic races in cities more than 400 miles apart — the Indianapolis 500 first, then NASCAR’s Coca-Cola 600 in Concord, N.C.

Larson’s two-time attempt at “The Double” in 2024 and 2025 is the subject of a new Prime Video documentary, “Kyle Larson vs The Double,” which premieres May 21.

The film delves into the incredible challenges Larson faces, on and off the track, as he goes for one of the most elusive triumphs in racing — from 500 miles in an Indy car at Indianapolis Motor Speedway to jumping on a plane to North Carolina to compete for 600 miles in a stock car at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

“The logistical challenge of ‘The Double’ is staggering,” Prime Video says in the film’s press release, “managing the extreme physical toll of heat, dehydration, G-forces and mental exhaustion.”

Before Larson, four other drivers took on “The Double” — John Andretti in 1994; Robby Gordon in 1997, 2000, 2002, 2003 and 2004; Tony Stewart in 1999 and 2001; and Kurt Busch in 2014.