Whisper
July 29th, 2009, 01:02 AM
July 28, 2009 WHEAT RIDGE, Colo. --
Police investigating a reported kidnapping and sexual assault that occurred earlier this month want to talk to anyone who may have had contact with the suspect, who met the victim through Live Links.
Live Links is a live chat line where multiple people can dial into a chat room and talk.
The 36-year-old victim and the 31-year-old suspect -- identified by police as Carlos Maes -- began talking on Live Links on July 8, said Wheat Ridge police spokeswoman Lisa Stigall.
The woman gave Maes her personal phone number. He called her from his cell phone and they agreed to meet at the Village Inn restaurant in Wheat Ridge, Stigall said.
The woman told police that when she arrived at the restaurant and met Maes in the parking lot, he started to kiss her.
The woman said she pushed the man away and told him "No."
Police said the suspect then picked the victim up and put her in the cab of his pickup truck, which he then drove to an apartment complex near the greenbelt, off Kipling Street, around 42nd Avenue.
That's where he assaulted her, she said. The woman told police she repeatedly told the suspect, "No."
Maes was arrested at his home in Denver that same night.
Due to the nature of the crime, police believe there may be other victims who have had contact with the suspect, known only as "Carlos" in the chat room, Stigall said.
Wheat Ridge police want to talk to any other victims or individuals who have knowledge of additional victims or crimes committed by Maes. Contact the Wheat Ridge Police Department at 303-237-2220.
Maes is being held on a $100,000 at the Jefferson County jail for investigation of kidnapping and sexual assault.
His photo will not be released so as to not compromise any future photo lineups, Stigall said.
Sid Methner, director of business development of Teligence, which operates Live Links, said that the company gets 220 million phone calls a month and it is rare for this type of incident to happen, although it doesn't take away from the gravity of the situation.
"You need to exercise personal discretion when arranging meetings ... We don't look at this (agreeing to meet in person) any differently than meeting at a bar," Methner said. "We may have been the vehicle to engage one in another and meet, but once that event has taken place, it is responsibility of the people involved."
He said the company has a disclaimer on its Web site and on the service, when people call in, telling people about being careful, and using discretion when arranging meetings beyond a phone call.
He said the company has a very proactive track record of helping law enforcement.
"We don't like to see this type of event take place," Methner said.
On its Web site, LiveLinks says, "Livelinks is a safe and confidential system offering a fun place to meet and flirt with other singles. It's a great place to voice your personality and make instant, genuine connections. Whether you decide to chat or meet, please use sound judgement and be responsible for your conduct. Common sense is your best safety tool."
And the site offered the following safety tips:
•
Start Slow -- Watch out for someone who seems too good to be true. Begin by communicating solely via Livelinks, then look for odd behavior or inconsistencies. The person at the other end may not be who or what he or she says. Trust your instincts. If anything makes you uncomfortable, walk away for your own safety and protection.
•
Guard your Anonymity -- All conversations between Livelinks members take place through our confidential system, ensuring your true identity is protected until you decide to reveal it. Never include your last name, email address, home address, phone number, place of work or any other identifying information in your personal greetings or messages. Stop communicating with anyone who pressures you for personal information or attempts in any way to trick you into revealing it.
•
Meet when you are ready -- You never are obligated to meet anyone. And even if you decide to arrange a meeting, you always have the right to change your mind. It's possible that your decision to keep anonymous is based on a hunch that you can't logically explain. Trust yourself. Go with your instincts. Livelinks assumes no responsibility for personal meetings.
•
Exercise Caution and Common Sense -- Guard against trusting the untrustworthy; people must earn your trust gradually, through consistently honorable, forthright behavior. Take all the time you need to test for a trustworthy person and pay careful attention along the way. If you suspect someone is lying, he or she probably is, so act accordingly. If you mutually decide to take your relationship to the next level, be smart and protect yourself.
•
Do a Little Digging -- Because privacy is of the highest importance at Livelinks, we don't conduct background checks on our members. We instead encourage members to do their own research prior to meeting. We recommend getting as much info as possible by asking questions, utilizing Internet search engines and most importantly, using common sense. Nothing is 100 percent reliable, just remember to use your head as well as your heart. If you encounter someone underage, please be responsible and alert our customer service team.
•
Watch for Red Flags -- Pay attention to displays of anger, intense frustration or attempts to pressure or control you. Acting in a passive-aggressive manner, making demeaning or disrespectful comments or any physically inappropriate behavior are all red flags. You should be concerned if your date exhibits any of the following behavior without providing an acceptable explanation:
•
Provides inconsistent information about age, interests, appearance, marital status, profession, employment, etc.
•
Fails to provide direct answers to direct questions.
•
Meet in a Safe Place -- If you choose to meet, always tell a friend where you are going and when you will return. Leave your date's name and telephone number with your friend. Never arrange for your date to pick you up at home. Provide your own transportation, meet in a public place at a time with many people around (a familiar restaurant or coffee shop is often a good choice). Refrain from drinking excessively, as it could impair your ability to make good decisions. If at some point you and your date decide to move to another location, consider taking your own car.
•
Take Extra Caution Outside your Area -- If you are flying in from another city, arrange for your own car and hotel room. Do not disclose the name of your hotel and never allow your date to make the arrangements for you. Call your date from the hotel or meet at the location you have already agreed to. If the location seems inappropriate or unsafe, trust your instincts. Always make sure a friend or family member knows your plans and has your contact information. And if possible, carry a mobile phone at all times. Get Yourself out of a Jam - Never do anything that makes you feel unsure or unsafe. Use your best judgment to diffuse the situation and get out of there. Excuse yourself to call a friend for advice, ask someone else on the scene for help or just leave. Never worry or feel embarrassed about your behavior; your safety is much more important than one person's opinion of you. http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/20203023/detail.html
Police investigating a reported kidnapping and sexual assault that occurred earlier this month want to talk to anyone who may have had contact with the suspect, who met the victim through Live Links.
Live Links is a live chat line where multiple people can dial into a chat room and talk.
The 36-year-old victim and the 31-year-old suspect -- identified by police as Carlos Maes -- began talking on Live Links on July 8, said Wheat Ridge police spokeswoman Lisa Stigall.
The woman gave Maes her personal phone number. He called her from his cell phone and they agreed to meet at the Village Inn restaurant in Wheat Ridge, Stigall said.
The woman told police that when she arrived at the restaurant and met Maes in the parking lot, he started to kiss her.
The woman said she pushed the man away and told him "No."
Police said the suspect then picked the victim up and put her in the cab of his pickup truck, which he then drove to an apartment complex near the greenbelt, off Kipling Street, around 42nd Avenue.
That's where he assaulted her, she said. The woman told police she repeatedly told the suspect, "No."
Maes was arrested at his home in Denver that same night.
Due to the nature of the crime, police believe there may be other victims who have had contact with the suspect, known only as "Carlos" in the chat room, Stigall said.
Wheat Ridge police want to talk to any other victims or individuals who have knowledge of additional victims or crimes committed by Maes. Contact the Wheat Ridge Police Department at 303-237-2220.
Maes is being held on a $100,000 at the Jefferson County jail for investigation of kidnapping and sexual assault.
His photo will not be released so as to not compromise any future photo lineups, Stigall said.
Sid Methner, director of business development of Teligence, which operates Live Links, said that the company gets 220 million phone calls a month and it is rare for this type of incident to happen, although it doesn't take away from the gravity of the situation.
"You need to exercise personal discretion when arranging meetings ... We don't look at this (agreeing to meet in person) any differently than meeting at a bar," Methner said. "We may have been the vehicle to engage one in another and meet, but once that event has taken place, it is responsibility of the people involved."
He said the company has a disclaimer on its Web site and on the service, when people call in, telling people about being careful, and using discretion when arranging meetings beyond a phone call.
He said the company has a very proactive track record of helping law enforcement.
"We don't like to see this type of event take place," Methner said.
On its Web site, LiveLinks says, "Livelinks is a safe and confidential system offering a fun place to meet and flirt with other singles. It's a great place to voice your personality and make instant, genuine connections. Whether you decide to chat or meet, please use sound judgement and be responsible for your conduct. Common sense is your best safety tool."
And the site offered the following safety tips:
•
Start Slow -- Watch out for someone who seems too good to be true. Begin by communicating solely via Livelinks, then look for odd behavior or inconsistencies. The person at the other end may not be who or what he or she says. Trust your instincts. If anything makes you uncomfortable, walk away for your own safety and protection.
•
Guard your Anonymity -- All conversations between Livelinks members take place through our confidential system, ensuring your true identity is protected until you decide to reveal it. Never include your last name, email address, home address, phone number, place of work or any other identifying information in your personal greetings or messages. Stop communicating with anyone who pressures you for personal information or attempts in any way to trick you into revealing it.
•
Meet when you are ready -- You never are obligated to meet anyone. And even if you decide to arrange a meeting, you always have the right to change your mind. It's possible that your decision to keep anonymous is based on a hunch that you can't logically explain. Trust yourself. Go with your instincts. Livelinks assumes no responsibility for personal meetings.
•
Exercise Caution and Common Sense -- Guard against trusting the untrustworthy; people must earn your trust gradually, through consistently honorable, forthright behavior. Take all the time you need to test for a trustworthy person and pay careful attention along the way. If you suspect someone is lying, he or she probably is, so act accordingly. If you mutually decide to take your relationship to the next level, be smart and protect yourself.
•
Do a Little Digging -- Because privacy is of the highest importance at Livelinks, we don't conduct background checks on our members. We instead encourage members to do their own research prior to meeting. We recommend getting as much info as possible by asking questions, utilizing Internet search engines and most importantly, using common sense. Nothing is 100 percent reliable, just remember to use your head as well as your heart. If you encounter someone underage, please be responsible and alert our customer service team.
•
Watch for Red Flags -- Pay attention to displays of anger, intense frustration or attempts to pressure or control you. Acting in a passive-aggressive manner, making demeaning or disrespectful comments or any physically inappropriate behavior are all red flags. You should be concerned if your date exhibits any of the following behavior without providing an acceptable explanation:
•
Provides inconsistent information about age, interests, appearance, marital status, profession, employment, etc.
•
Fails to provide direct answers to direct questions.
•
Meet in a Safe Place -- If you choose to meet, always tell a friend where you are going and when you will return. Leave your date's name and telephone number with your friend. Never arrange for your date to pick you up at home. Provide your own transportation, meet in a public place at a time with many people around (a familiar restaurant or coffee shop is often a good choice). Refrain from drinking excessively, as it could impair your ability to make good decisions. If at some point you and your date decide to move to another location, consider taking your own car.
•
Take Extra Caution Outside your Area -- If you are flying in from another city, arrange for your own car and hotel room. Do not disclose the name of your hotel and never allow your date to make the arrangements for you. Call your date from the hotel or meet at the location you have already agreed to. If the location seems inappropriate or unsafe, trust your instincts. Always make sure a friend or family member knows your plans and has your contact information. And if possible, carry a mobile phone at all times. Get Yourself out of a Jam - Never do anything that makes you feel unsure or unsafe. Use your best judgment to diffuse the situation and get out of there. Excuse yourself to call a friend for advice, ask someone else on the scene for help or just leave. Never worry or feel embarrassed about your behavior; your safety is much more important than one person's opinion of you. http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/20203023/detail.html