13 pairs of labeled underwear found in home of suspect in Oct. 31 assault

Police in Arizona say they found 13 pairs of women's underwear in the home of a man accused of sexual assault on Halloween, with seven of those items bearing sticky notes that included dates and names. The discovery was detailed in newly released court documents concerning the arrest of Mach Kim, 46, on Nov. 5. He faces charges of aggravated assault, kidnapping, sexual assault, and sexual abuse in connection with an attack on a woman in Tempe.

According to the court records, the alleged assault began in the afternoon when the victim was walking home from a party in Tempe. A driver stopped beside her, pointed a black pistol at her, and ordered her into the vehicle under threat of being shot. Kim allegedly made the woman put on an eye mask and drove her to a different location, where he sexually assaulted her and forced her to give him her underwear. After dropping her off, the victim located someone nearby who helped her call police. She showed officers the drop-off site, where they found her phone and keys. GPS data from the phone provided a route map that included both the pickup and drop-off locations.

Investigators used the GPS timeline to review camera footage along the route, which led them to a white Dodge Ram pickup registered to Kim. A driver's license photo of Kim resembled a sketch the victim created. On Nov. 5, detectives surveilled Kim and collected a DNA sample from a Wendy's cup he discarded. Police stated that the DNA on the cup matched samples from the victim's sexual assault kit.

When officers arrested Kim in Scottsdale, they searched his vehicle and recovered a black CO2 gun shaped like a handgun, a black sleep mask, six pairs of women's underwear, a pillow, and a towel. A search of his residence in Chandler yielded the additional 13 pairs of underwear and an eye mask. Forensic psychologist John De La Torre reviewed the allegations and noted that the labeled items could serve as mementos, a behavior he said is not limited to serial killers. He expressed concern about the potential for escalation based on these findings.

Kim invoked his rights after being taken to jail, stating he did not want to answer further questions without a lawyer. Detectives believe there may be other victims who have not yet come forward. Potential victims or anyone with information are asked to contact Tempe police at 480-350-8311.

The case remains active as investigators continue to review the evidence and seek out potential witnesses.