Suspect arrested in Snohomish County sex assault; DNA led to ID say detectives

EVERETT, WASH. – The Snohomish County Violent Offender Task Force located and arrested a 28 year-old Daniel Miltenberger of Everett last night who is the suspect in an assault and burglary last Saturday night in the Silver Lake area.  He was identified as a suspect from DNA collected as evidence in the investigation, which matched his profile in the Washington State Patrol (WSP) Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) database yesterday afternoon. 

Miltenberger was contacted last night around 7:45 p.m. by the task force at a residence in the 2600 block of Baker Ave and taken into custody without incident.  He was booked on burglary, unlawful imprisonment and sexual assault charges and is being held on $1 million bail.  “This arrest was the result of good police work and great partnerships,” said Sheriff Ty Trenary. “The WSP Marysville DNA lab, the WSP Criminal Records Division and CODIS made sure this case was expedited, ensuring that we could get this dangerous predator off the street as quickly as possible.”



SNOHOMISH COUNTY, Wash. – Snohomish County Sheriff’s detectives searched a quiet cul-de-sac in unincorporated Everett for clues on Sunday, after a woman said she was attacked at gunpoint the night before.

Dozens of Snohomish County Search and Rescue detectives and volunteers were near the 11000 block of 28th Drive Southeast.

The woman told authorities Saturday night just after 7:00pm that she had been assaulted by a man believed to be in his 20’s or 30’s wearing a mask and holding a gun. She said her attacker had a cast on his right arm, and was wearing a black and red striped shirt and jeans.

Snohomish County detectives said in a press release Saturday night, the woman was able to break free from the suspect who is believed to be armed and dangerous.

“When I looked outside I saw there were a ton of cops sitting at the end of our street here,” said Christina Del Grosso. She said fear ran down her spine when she first learned about the attack at her next door neighbor’s house, and again when she learned the man is not in custody.

“It’s totally nerve-wracking to know he’s still out there and they don’t know where he is,” she said.

Her quiet neighborhood was torn upside down on Sunday as Snohomish County detectives searched for any clues.

“This is terrifying, this is a safe little neighborhood, we all know our neighbors, I mean we’re right by the school over here,” said Del Grosso. “Nothing like this has ever happened.”

But eerily similar incidents have happened within a five-mile radius of Del Grosso’s home on 28th Drive Southeast this summer.

The Everett Police Department confirmed on Friday they are still investigating three abduction attempts in south Everett that may have been committed by the same man.

On July 19, a man attempted to force a female into his car near the intersection of 75th Street SE and Evergreen Way, Everett police said. A second abduction attempt by a similarly described man occurred later that same day near 92nd Street SE.

And on Aug. 16, a third, similar incident took place in the 5600 block of Wetmore Avenue.

In each case, the man threatened his female victims with a black handgun, airsoft or BB gun. The suspect wore a mask and demanded the victim get in his car. The victims in each of these cases were able to escape unharmed by resisting and running away, police said.

In each case, the suspect fled in a dark-colored, 4-door, compact-style car, police said. The male is described as white or Hispanic with a medium build and possibly a brown dog in his car.

“The loudest screaming I’ve ever heard,” said Gay Westmoreland, describing the moment she met one of the South Everett victims. “Just screaming, screaming, screaming and running as fast as she could.”

Westmoreland let the woman into her home on Wetmore in August and called 9-1-1 on her behalf, police arrived minutes later but did not find the suspect.

“I describe the behavior as bold, definitely concerning, dangerous to the community,” said Dan Templeman, Everett Chief of Police.

Police said they don’t have anyone in custody for this summer’s attacks in Everett and Snohomish County Sheriff’s don’t know if Saturday’s attack is the same man or another.

“We have no idea if this is a local individual or someone who lives in the region,” said Templeman of the Everett attacker.

Law enforcement do know that sexual predators will escalate their crimes, from looking to touching to grabbing and worse.

“What happens is when they get away with it, it may be more severe the next time,” said Detective Myrle Carner with Crimestoppers of Puget Sound. “We want to stop it before it gets to step four or five.”

Del Grosso said until they do find the masked gunman that assaulted her next door neighbor, the neighborhood won’t be the same.

“I am probably not going to have any trick or treaters,” she said. “It’s really scary, it’s really terrifying, that this guy is still out there.”

Law enforcement are looking to speak with anyone that has information on any of the assaults. If you know who the attacker may be, or have witnessed any of the attacks, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS