After being found guilty of a violent mall robbery in San Jose more than thirty years ago, a convicted sex offender currently serving time in jail would never be able to experience life outside bars again.
In addition to his existing term, Thomas Loguidice, 67, faces a potential penalty of life in prison for the mall heist, the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office stated in a statement Thursday.
On January 13, 1994, just before 10 a.m., a 21-year-old woman showed up at the Oakridge Mall’s President Tuxedo store. She was about to open the store as the acting manager when Loguidice came up to her and pushed the victim into a back storage area while brandishing a knife.
The victim was tied to a pipe and made to lie on the ground with her wrists shackled.
Investigators claimed that Loguidice returned to the storage area and sexually attacked the woman after stealing a little sum of money from the showroom register. Then he ran away.
Despite their investigation, San Jose police were unable to solve the case. But in 2022, the Cold Case Unit of the District Attorney’s Office found that DNA taken from the 1994 murder site matched an offender profile in the Combined DNA Index System, a nationwide DNA database.
The profile was that of Loguidice, who was found guilty in 2012 of repeatedly sexually abusing a minor in San Benito County. Prosecutors say he is presently serving a 40-year jail sentence for that case.
“We remember. This defendant ought to be held accountable for his violent and horrifying deeds, which are not diminished by the passing of time. District Attorney Jeff Rosen expressed gratitude for the outstanding efforts of our Crime Lab, investigators, and prosecutors in apprehending this offender.
However, prosecutors claimed that because the statute of limitations for sexual assault passed in 2000, Loguidice was not charged with the offense.
Note: Every piece of content is rigorously reviewed by our team of experienced writers and editors to ensure its accuracy. Our writers use credible sources and adhere to strict fact-checking protocols to verify all claims and data before publication. If an error is identified, we promptly correct it and strive for transparency in all updates, feel free to reach out to us via email. We appreciate your trust and support!
Eliot Pierce is a dedicated writer for ChiefsFocus.com, covering local crime and finance news. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for storytelling, Eliot aims to provide his readers with clear and insightful analysis, helping them navigate the complexities of their financial lives while staying informed about important local events. His commitment to delivering accurate and engaging content makes him a valuable resource for the community.