UPDATE (2/11/2017): The female accomplice that was arrested with suspect Farmer has been identifed as Sophia Yim, 31 years old, who is a resident of Lynwood. Yim's updated charges are robbery with a bail of $100,000.
Original News Release:
Long Beach
Police announced at a news conference today, February 10, 2017, that arrests
were made in a residential robbery series, which also involved a sexual
assault and an attempt sexual assault. Earlier this week, police released an
image and surveillance video depicting a person of interest, and asked for the
public’s help.
“Through the media coverage of the photo and
video, someone saw that and believed they recognized the man and called police
– and that’s one of the reasons we’re here today,” said Police Chief Robert
Luna, “I’m proud of the relentless work of our detectives, patrol officers and
lab techs; the real heroes are the victims – their strength and courageous
actions are admirable.”
On February 10, 2017, about 9:45 a.m.,
detectives detained and transported a person of interest to police
headquarters, from the area of Century Boulevard and Vermont Avenue in Los
Angeles. The person of interest matched the description of the individual
portrayed in a related news release. After a thorough interview, 39-year-old
Melvin Earl Farmer Jr. of Lynwood was booked for multiple charges in connection
with the series. The charges included: residential robbery, rape by force or
fear, oral copulation by force or injury, a death threat, and assault with a
deadly weapon (not a firearm) with great bodily injury. Farmer is currently
being held in Long Beach City Jail with bail set at $2,000,000. His lengthy
criminal history includes robbery and theft.
A 31-year-old female
resident of Lynwood was booked as an accomplice and was with Farmer when he was
detained. Her identity is being withheld due to investigative reasons. She is
currently being held in Long Beach City Jail with bail set at $20,000.
A motive for the suspect’s actions has yet to be determined and the
investigation remains active and ongoing.
Detectives expect to
present the case to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office for
filing consideration, early next week.
Anyone who may have
information regarding this investigation is encouraged to call Long Beach
Police Department Sex Crimes Detective J. Kearns at (562) 570-7368 or email LBPDSexCrimes@longbeach.gov.
Anonymous tips may be submitted through "LA Crime Stoppers" by calling
1-800-222-TIPS (8477), downloading the "P3 Tips" app to your smart phone
(available at the Apple App store and Google Play), or visiting www.LACrimeStoppers.org.
The Long Beach Police
Department extends its appreciation to the community and media for their
continued support and assistance with this investigation.