Suspected serial rapist arrested in Indianapolis after DNA breaks case

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.

She was asleep, according to court documents, before she was awoken to a blanket being placed around her face. She heard a man with an accent say, “Please, don’t look. Please don’t move,” before the assault. She told the detective that he used a pair of her leggings to tie her hands behind her back and cover her mouth.

“Next time, don’t leave the door unlocked,” he said after the assault, according to court records.

A rape report was taken in the same area in 2015

At 4:44 a.m. on June 27, 2015, police were called about a rape that happened in the same area in her apartment in the 9400 block of Barcroft Drive.

According to court documents, the woman told a detective that a man got inside her apartment through a sliding glass door on her upper balcony before being assaulted in her bed.

After the assault, investigators wrote in court documetns, the man said, “Don’t tell anyone. Don’t move for five minutes. I have people outside, and they’ll know. You should be careful next time and make sure all your doors are locked.”

A rape report was taken in 2013

At about 7 a.m. on March 24, 2013, a detective was made aware of a sexual assault reported at St. Vincent Hospital, according to court documents. A woman told the detective that the night before, around 10:30 p.m., she and a friend had ordered a taxi to go to a bar downtown. After a few drinks, they went back to her apartment.

She thought her friend had locked the door when she left, so the woman went to sleep around 4 a.m. About 20 minutes awoke to being assaulted by a man.

She described the man as wearing a black mask, and he tied a scarf around her throat. After the assault, court documents said the man began “tucking” her into bed before leaving and said that if she ever told anyone, he would be back. After leaving, she got up and noticed that the keys to her door were missing from her purse. She grabbed a knife and ran to a neighbor’s apartment.

Sexual assault victims are encouraged to reach out to IMPD’s Sex Crimes Office by calling 317-327-3330. If anyone has any information related to these cases, investigators want them to reach out.

Jade Jackson is a public safety reporter for the Indianapolis Star. You can email her at Jade.Jackson@IndyStar.com and follow her on X, formerly Twitter @IAMJADEJACKSON.