Tempe Police Arrest Man in Halloween Kidnapping and Assault Case

On November 9, allegations against Mach Kim were outlined in court filings; Tempe police had arrested him on November 5. Police say the incident began around 2:30 a.m. on October 31 near Eighth Street and Dorsey Lane, when a woman walking home from a party was forced into a vehicle at gunpoint. The woman has not been publicly identified.

Investigators say the driver covered the woman’s eyes and transported her elsewhere, where he sexually attacked her. She was later dropped off near McClintock and University drives and found someone to help her contact police. Officers recovered her phone and keys nearby; GPS information from the phone helped trace the vehicle’s route.

Police say camera footage along that route led them to a white Dodge Ram registered to Kim. Investigators also collected a DNA sample from a discarded fast-food cup and say it matched DNA from the woman’s sexual assault examination.

A search of Kim’s vehicle turned up a CO2 gun shaped like a handgun, a sleeping blindfold, six sets of women’s briefs, a cushion and a bath towel, according to police. At his home, investigators found 13 more pairs of women’s underwear and an eye mask. Seven pairs had sticky notes bearing dates and names.

Kim, 46, faces counts alleging aggravated attack, abduction, sexual assault and sexual abuse. A judge set cash-only bail at $50,000; if released, Kim would be subject to electronic monitoring and other conditions. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for November 16. Police say there may be additional victims and are asking anyone with information to contact Tempe police.