Suspect In Sexual Assault Of Northridge Girl Found In Mexico, Arraigned In Los Angeles

Tobias Summers was apprehended by Mexican authorities Wednesday at a rehab clinic in Mexico, and is now facing arraignment today in Los Angeles for the kidnapping and sexual assault of a 10-year-old Northridge girl.

Summers, 32, was found after an almost month long manhunt that only recently extended past the U.S. border. His accomplice Daniel Martinez, 29, drove the pair's getaway car, but was arrested soon after.

"I'm very happy that we caught this trash," Arenas said. "I always make a point to capture people that have sex with children. Because if given the opportunity, they will rape a Mexican child."

The felony complaint against Summers claims that he broke into the girl's house in the middle of the night on March 27 and kidnapped her using a knife as his weapon. He then proceeded to rape and physically abuse her, taking nude photos of her battered body. She was dropped off 12 hours later in a Woodland Hills parking lot.

"We're very happy on our side because we're giving a measure of justice to the family and the victim who was abused," commander of Baja California state police Alfredo Arenas said. The victim's family declined interviews, but the mother did say that she was "relieved that he's been captured and glad that he won't be doing this to anyone else."

Both men involved in the assault have long criminal histories. Summers has previously been charged with receiving stolen property, grand theft, petty theft, possession of an explosive, presenting false identification to police, and battery. Summers served three separate prison terms for those convictions, and allegedly has ties to a white supremacist gang in San Fernando Valley.

"We can never make whole the lives of that family and the young girl after this horrific event," LAPD Chief Charlie Beck said at a news conference. "But we can and we will and we do make plain to anybody in this city that thinks they can commit that kind of crime and remain free after doing so - we can make sure that they know that is not true."

While the manhunt was underway for Summers, the Los Angeles Conty District Attorney's office charged him with 36 counts of sexual assault, kidnapping, and first-degree burglary. If he is found guilty, Summers will face multiple life sentences and little chance of parole. Martinez is also facing serious charges, and may be locked away for up to 12 years for his part in the crimes.