A Latvian builder who disappeared two weeks ago is named as a suspect in the hunt for missing schoolgirl Alice Gross.
Scotland Yard is appealing for the public’s help to trace Latvian Arnis Zalkalns, who was last seen at his home in Ealing, west London, on 3 September.
The 41-year-old, who lives with his partner and child, is known to travel to work along a similar route to that which Alice took on the day she disappeared, police said.
Detective Superintendent Carl Mehta said that the Mr Zalkalns had been convicted of murder in his country and was also arrested on suspicion of indecent assault in the Ealing area in 2009.
The officer said: “The conviction was in 1998 and he served a custodial sentence of seven years.”
Mr Mehta said no further action was taken against Mr Zalkalns over the indecent assault allegation, which involved a 14-year-old girl. He also insisted that police have no evidence suggesting Alice has come to harm.
“This is not a murder inquiry in the sense that we don’t have any evidence or information to say that Alice is not alive,” Mr Mehta said.
Arnis Zalkalns spotted on CCTV 15mins after Alice walked across Brentford Lock on Thurs 28 Aug 4pm #FindAlice pic.twitter.com/O6qz0WNspi
— Metropolitan Police (@metpoliceuk) September 18, 2014
Scotland Yard said it now knows that on Thursday 28 August, the day that Alice disappeared, Mr Zalkalns was seen on CCTV cycling along Brentford Lock at 4pm, 15 minutes after Alice walked that route at 3.45pm.
Detectives believe he is likely to have come across Alice as they were both going in the same direction, north along the canal towpath.
Since Mr Zalkalns was last seen at his home in Ealing on the evening of Wednesday 3 September, he has not accessed his bank account or used his mobile phone.
His passport was left at his house. Friends and family of Mr Zalkalns have told police that his disappearance is completely out of character.
Do you know where Arnis Zalkalns is? Have you seen him? Contact police urgently 020 8353 0100 #FindAlice pic.twitter.com/2K1ndhnsDg
— Metropolitan Police (@metpoliceuk) September 18, 2014
Mr Mehta said Scotland Yard was liaising with authorities in Latvia but Zalkalns is not thought to be wanted by police there.
Asked if he posed a threat to the public, the officer said: “I think given what we are finding out about his antecedents and his history, clearly he potentially poses a risk to the public. I would ask if anyone sees him not to approach him but to immediately dial 999 and contact the police.”
A reward of up to £20,000 is being offered for anyone who has information that leads detectives to find Alice.