Alleged Sexual Assault Suspect Tracked to Melrose, Arrested in Malden

(Editor's note: This article was updated at 2:30 p.m. with comments from Melrose Police Lt. Mark DeCroteau.)

Massachusetts State Police arrested a man accused of sexual assault on Sunday in Stoneham after a police dog tracked him to Melrose and, thanks to an off-duty Melrose Police sergeant, police eventually located the man in Malden.

On Sunday at 5 p.m., the victim reported the alleged assault on the Lynn Fells Parkway in Stoneham and gave a description of the suspect to the troopers at the State Police Barracks in Medford, according to a statement issued by the State Police.

Along with the assistance of local police officers, State Police established a perimeter and called for a State Police K9 unit and State Police helicopter to search for the assailant.

The State Police K9 unit tracked the suspect to an address in Melrose, where witnesses confirmed that a man matching the description of the suspect had recently been in the area.

Melrose Police Sgt. Chuck Byrne, who was off-duty during the search, spotted the Melrose K9 Officer assisting with a search of the area, according to Melrose Police Lt. Mark DeCroteau. After Byrne stopped and asked for a description of the suspect, he spotted the suspect running towards Malden on Main Street near the Melrose-Malden line and, keeping the suspect in sight, called the Melrose Police station, where dispatch officers then notified the State Police.

After 45 minutes of searching, the suspect was located and arrested on Tremont Street in Malden. The victim was brought to the scene and positively identified the suspect.

Yuri S. Mikalixen, 22, 119 Mount Vernon St., Malden, was arrested on charges of assault with intent to rape; assault by means of a dangerous weapon; kidnapping; and DCR Reservation violations. Mikalixen is being held without bail at the State Police Barracks until his arraignment in Woburn District Court on Tuesday. The investigation is ongoing; State Police Troopers are being assisted by the State Police Crime Scene Services Section.

The State Police does not release the identities of victims of sexual assaults.