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A woman trying to earn money cleaning vehicles at truck stops was attacked by a man claiming he would hire her. At around 9:00 p.m. on January 16, 2010 a 30 year-old woman went with her boyfriend to the truck stop at 1155 N. 51st Avenue to meet with an acquaintance so she could clean his truck. The acquaintance never showed up. After her boyfriend entered the business to make a purchase, the victim was approached by a man who asked her if she cleaned trucks. She said that she did and the suspect, 40 year-old Darryl Clark, hired her to clean the living area of his truck.
Once inside the truck, Clark began beating the victim to the point where she was in and out of consciousness. At one point she regained consciousness and realized she was bound, naked and being sexually assaulted.
Darryl Clark held the victim captive for several hours but eventually released her in the early morning hours of January 17. A good citizen found the woman and drove her home then called police. Officers found she had been severely beaten on the head and body; they also found clear evidence she had been restrained. She was transported to a local hospital and is still receiving treatment for head trauma suffered during this brutal attack.
Phoenix Police detectives were able to determine from the victim that the suspect’s vehicle was from a national moving company. Through extensive research and a rigorous and in-depth investigation, detectives traced the movements of the vehicle. This led to the positive identification of Darryl Clark, and he was located in Austin, Texas. With the assistance of the Maricopa County Attorney’s office, the Austin Police Department, and the Travis County Sheriff’s Office, Clark was arrested and booked into jail in Austin on February 11, 2010. He is currently fighting extradition to Arizona.
The course of this investigation indicates Darryl Clark has worked for a major moving company for about seven years. His work has taken him to 30 different states, with multiple trips to each state. Detectives have learned that he may have been involved in a similar investigation in San Antonio, Texas, however no charges were filed.
Phoenix Police investigators would like anyone who has had contact with Darryl Clark, or information concerning this investigation, to please call Phoenix Police Crime Stop at (602) 262-6151 or Silent Witness at (480) W-I-T-N-E-S-S.
The Phoenix Police Department is concerned for our citizens. Many men and women who provide important services like this and are not predators. However, always use extreme caution when dealing with strangers; especially when dealing with people who solicit business, such as truck washing services and the selling of food and other items.