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Alice Gross disappearance: Suspect Arnis Zalkalns has murder conviction Alice Gross disappearance: Suspect Arnis Zalkalns has murder conviction
(35 minutes later)
Police searching for 14-year-old Alice Gross have revealed they are treating a man with a murder conviction as a suspect in her disappearance. A man wanted in connection with the disappearance of 14-year-old Alice Gross is a convicted murderer, police have revealed.
Alice was last seen on 28 August when she was spotted on CCTV by the Grand Union Canal in west London. The schoolgirl was last seen on 28 August when she was spotted on CCTV by the Grand Union Canal in west London.
Latvian builder Arnis Zalkalns, who used the same route to get to work, went missing a week later.Latvian builder Arnis Zalkalns, who used the same route to get to work, went missing a week later.
The 41-year-old served seven years in prison for murder in Latvia after being convicted in 1998, police said.The 41-year-old served seven years in prison for murder in Latvia after being convicted in 1998, police said.
Det Supt Carl Mehta, from the Scotland Yard's Homicide and Major Crime Command, said Mr Zalkalns may pose a risk to the public. Det Supt Carl Mehta, from Scotland Yard's Homicide and Major Crime Command, said Mr Zalkalns may pose a risk to the public.
He added that he was not wanted in Latvia, he had served his time and had not been on police records in the UK.He added that he was not wanted in Latvia, he had served his time and had not been on police records in the UK.
Police said he was also arrested in the Ealing area of west London in 2009 for indecently assaulting a 14-year-old girl, but no further action was taken.Police said he was also arrested in the Ealing area of west London in 2009 for indecently assaulting a 14-year-old girl, but no further action was taken.
Mr Mehta stressed that police had no evidence suggesting Alice had come to harm.
"This is not a murder inquiry in the sense that we don't have any evidence or information to say that Alice is not alive," he said.
Mr Zalkalns was seen on CCTV on 28 August cycling along Brentford Lock at 16:00 BST, 15 minutes after Alice walked that route. He was last seen on 3 September.Mr Zalkalns was seen on CCTV on 28 August cycling along Brentford Lock at 16:00 BST, 15 minutes after Alice walked that route. He was last seen on 3 September.
Police also appealed for the public's help tracking down Mr Zalkaln's red mountain bike.
Latvian authorities told the Metropolitan Police (Met) about Mr Zalkaln's murder conviction "in the last few days", Scotland Yard said.Latvian authorities told the Metropolitan Police (Met) about Mr Zalkaln's murder conviction "in the last few days", Scotland Yard said.
Det Supt Carl Mehta said: "The conviction was in 1998 and he served a custodial sentence of seven years." Asked if he posed a threat to the public, Mr Mehta said: "I think given what we are finding out about his antecedents and his history, clearly he potentially poses a risk to the public.
"I would ask if anyone sees him not to approach him but to immediately dial 999 and contact the police."
Police have received more than 100 calls to their #FindAlice investigation after an appeal on BBC Crimewatch earlier this week.Police have received more than 100 calls to their #FindAlice investigation after an appeal on BBC Crimewatch earlier this week.
A reward of up to £20,000 is being offered for anyone who has information that leads police to find the missing girl.A reward of up to £20,000 is being offered for anyone who has information that leads police to find the missing girl.
Scotland Yard has released an interactive map of the route Alice took.Scotland Yard has released an interactive map of the route Alice took.
Detectives believe Mr Zalkalns is likely to have come across Alice as they were both going in the same direction, north along the canal towpath.
They appealed for the public's help tracking down his red mountain bike.
Mr Zalkalns has been in UK since 2007. He has a partner and young child living in Ealing.Mr Zalkalns has been in UK since 2007. He has a partner and young child living in Ealing.
He had been working as a labourer on a building site in Isleworth, west London, prior to his disappearance. He has not accessed his bank account or used his mobile phone and his passport was left at his house, said police.
He had been working as a labourer on a building site in Isleworth, west London, before his disappearance.