DNA has linked Thomas Darin Boccaleoni, 44, of Cotati, to a sexual assault that occurred in November 2008, in one of about a dozen cases police believe they can link to attempted assaults that have taken place in the last five months.

The DNA link means more charges will be added to the two that were filed against Boccaleoni late last week. He was scheduled to appear in court April 30, but that appearance was postponed until May 4.

The newest charges are based on DNA collected following an incident that took place on Nov. 18, according to the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Department Lt. Chris Spallino.

Boccaleoni is alleged to have persuaded the victim to pull over on Bennett Valley Road, and approached her with a ruse that he was reporting an accident. Once Boccaleoni drew close enough to the victim, he allegedly threatened and sexually assaulted her.

The victim’s clothing was sent to a lab for DNA testing. When DNA evidence was found, its code was uploaded to the Combined DNA Index System, commonly known as CODIS.

The news of a match to Boccaleoni came from the California Department of Justice late on April 29.

Boccaleoni, a line chef for a Marin County restaurant until his arrest minutes before midnight on April 28, would normally have been released on bail, Spallino said Thursday afternoon, but is being held without bail because of a probation violation.

Wednesday’s DNA match definitively connects Boccaleoni to the November assault, which was the first of the known roadside attacks he is accused of committing.

The next known assault attempt occurred Jan. 8 when a woman pulled to the side of the road because another driver was aggressively following her. Once stopped, she was approached by a man she later identified as Boccaleoni based on a police photograph. She told police Boccaleoni had asked her to call for help to aid with a motorcycle accident. When he tried to open her car door she sped away. He’s charged with assault with the intention to commit a sex act based on that incident.

Investigation continues into other incidents that may be related. Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to contact Detective Joel Pedersen at 565-7600.

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