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Alice Gross missing: Arnis Zalkalns considered suspect as CCTV 'shows him cycling on same towpath'
Alice Gross missing: Suspect Arnis Zalkalns 'is convicted murderer', say police
(about 2 hours later)
Detectives looking into the disappearance of Alice Gross have said they are now treating a missing Latvian man as a suspect.
A Latvian builder wanted by police over the disappearance of teenager Alice Gross is a convicted murderer who was arrested for the alleged indecent assault of a 14-year-old five years ago, Scotland Yard said today.
Arnis Zalkalns, 41, was declared missing by his family after he was last seen at his home in Ealing on 3 September.
Arnis Zalkalns was named as a suspect for the first time today after he was captured cycling on a canal towpath by a CCTV camera 15 minutes after Alice Gross, 14, walked past the same spot on the afternoon she disappeared in west London.
Police say he left his passport, has not accessed his bank account or used his mobile phone since, in a disappearance that is said to be out of character.
It emerged that Mr Zalkalns, 41, came to Britain in 2007 after serving a seven-year sentence for murder committed in the capital Riga. Detectives were yesterday trying to get more information from the Latvian authorities about the 1998 conviction.
CCTV has now been released (see footage below) showing what police believe to be 14-year-old Alice walking along Brentford Lock on 28 August – the last sighting of her – 15 minutes before a possible Mr Zalkalns then cycles along the same path.
It was also revealed today that he was arrested in 2009 over the alleged indecent assault of a 14-year-old in London. He was not charged after the alleged victim was unwilling to support a prosecution.
Officers say Mr Zalkalns is likely to have encountered Alice as they were both travelling in the same direction north on the canal towpath.
Mr Zalkalns, 41, was reported missing by his own family six days after Alice went missing on August 28. Searches of his home in Ealing, west London, that he shares with his partner and daughter have uncovered his passport and his bank accounts have not been used. His bike has not been found.
CCTV still of Alice on the day she disappeared Chief Superintendent Carl Mehta said: “It is really important that we trace Arnis and speak to him about Alice’s disappearance.
Alice, who is from Hanwell, Ealing, left her home at 1pm on 28 August telling her parents that she would return later that night.
“His family and work colleagues have stated he was behaving normally in both the days before and after Alice’s disappearance. They are deeply concerned about this disappearance.
A rucksack containing some of her belongings was found alongside the towpath on 2 September, while an amnesty has been offered on the teenager’s missing iPhone as officers believe it could contain clues to her whereabouts.
The officer said that it was not a murder inquiry. “This remains an investigation focused on Alice,“ he said.
She texted her father at 3pm to ask when he would be home as she did not have any keys to the house, showing an intention to return.
The teenager used Facebook, Twitter and Ask.fm but there was no evidence that the pair knew each other. Scotland Yard has offered a reward of up to £20,000 to information that leads detectives to find Alice.
There is no evidence to suggest that Alice and Mr Zalkalns knew each other.
Alice Gross, 14, has been missing since 28 August She went missing after telling her parents she was going out for a walk. The search swiftly became high priority as she was suffering from anorexia and was seeking medical help for her condition. Police divers were brought in to search the canal. Her rucksack was found in undergrowth on the towpath but her phone remains missing that she used to text her father in the hours before her disappearance asking when he would be home from work.
Detective Superintendent Carl Mehta said: “I want the public’s help. On Thursday 28 August Arnis Zalkalns left work, in Isleworth, at about 3.30pm on his bike. Did you see him that afternoon? Either on his own, or with a teenage girl?
CCTV still of Alice on the day she disappeared “I also need to hear from anyone who knew Arnis whom we have not yet spoken to. His family and work colleagues have stated he was behaving normally in both the days before and after Alice’s disappearance. They are deeply concerned about his disappearance.
“Three weeks ago today Alice left home as usual. She has not been seen since 4.26pm, when she walked along Trumpers Way. So far the public have given us great support, but there may still be people out there who were walking in the area Alice was on that Thursday who have not yet spoken to us. If you were and you saw anything that could help progress our investigation - please call.
He also appealed for anyone who may have spoken to Alice on social networking sites, in the run up to her disappearance, to contact police.
Alice Gross, 14, has been missing since 28 August Mr Zalkalns is described as being white, 5ft 10in tall, of a stocky build with dark brown hair usually in a ponytail. He normally cycles to work and rides a red Trek Mountain Bike and racing bike.
Alice is described as being white, 5ft 2in tall and of slim build with shoulder-length, light brown hair. She was wearing dark blue jeans and a grey top, and tartan-framed glasses.
Anyone with any information can call investigators on 020 8358 0100, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
