HOOD RIVER, Ore. -- A 33-year-old Carson, Washington man was arrested for a violent robbery in the Columbia Gorge -- and investigators named him a person of interest in a rash of similar crimes.

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 Background: Gorge attack

On Monday Rigaberto Reyes Maldonado was arraigned on robbery and sodomy charges for an attack in the Cascade Locks area on April 18.

A couple was sitting in their car when they were approached by a man wearing a ski mask and carrying a handgun. The couple told police the man took their credit cards, cell phones and laptop computer, then the female was sexually assaulted.

Hood River County

Hood River County deputies took Maldonado into custody on April 24 for an outstanding warrant from California.

Investigators said police from three counties are looking at him as a person of interest, yet not a suspect, in seven similar attacks in the Gorge.

Deputies thanked citizens and the media for information that helped lead to the arrest.