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July 14, 2011

Police arrest sexual assault suspect

2 victims worked for Goodwill, EARC

Mark Schlachtenhaufen The Edmond Sun

EDMOND — A 40-year-old Edmond man was arrested on a sexual battery complaint after he allegedly sexually assaulted two women with special needs, police said.

Glynda Chu, spokeswoman for the Edmond Police Department, said the victims, one age 21, the other age 24, worked at Goodwill and EARC in Edmond, and because of their bravery and immediate action investigators were able to identify the suspect.

“This man tried to prey on women he thought would not have a voice, but he was very wrong,” Chu said. “As soon as the women reported the sexual assaults, the Police Department began an immediate investigation, and working with the women and witnesses the evidence led to an arrest.”

On June 1, Edmond Police Officer Matthew Harden was dispatched to Goodwill, 48 E. 15th St., in reference to a sexual assault, according to a report filed by Harden. It was released Thursday.

Police said on June 1 the victim reported that a male customer approached her while she was in the children’s section, and he asked her to come over to him. She said he touched her face and kissed her on the lips and she told him, “No, I can’t do that” as she walked away, police said.

She said the suspect followed her and stuck his hand up her shirt, touching her bare breasts, police said. She said he touched other private parts, police said.

Additionally, the victim said the suspect told her that he wanted to have sex with her and to keep it secret and not tell anyone, police said. After all this occurred, the suspect left. The victim gave police a description of the suspect, whom the victim said had been in the store before, police said.

Police said they were unable to use a driver’s license photograph because the suspect is an illegal immigrant.

On June 20, Edmond Police Officer Nathan Fountain was dispatched to a home in reference to an alleged sex offense that occurred on this date at EARC, 10 E. Ninth St., according to a report filed by Fountain.

The officer met with an employee who is visually and mentally impaired, police said. During the encounter, the suspect allegedly grabbed her buttocks and said, “Do you like it? Don’t tell anyone.” He then walked away.

It was believed he lived nearby because he always walked to the store, police said. After leaving the store, the officer drove in the addition behind it and saw the suspect sitting in a chair near the front porch, police said. When asked what happened at the store that day, the suspect said nothing, police said.

On June 23, the district attorney’s office said there was enough probable cause for an arrest on a sexual battery complaint, police said. Less than an hour later, the suspect was arrested.

That same day, the victim was shown a photo line up, at which time without hesitation she positively identified Esteban Martinez, 40, of Edmond, as the person she saw in the store, police said. The other victim also picked the suspect out of a photo line up, police said.

As of Thursday, Martinez was incarcerated in the county jail. His bond was set at $5,000. A formal felony sexual battery charge had been filed. An additional charge was apparently pending.

An INS Immigration Services hold was placed on the suspect, police said.

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