Santa Ana Police Continue Hunt For Sexual Assault Suspect Allegedly Captured On Video
SANTA ANA (CBSLA.com) — Santa Ana police Friday released the identity of a man suspected of sexually assaulting at least three women in the hopes it would generate leads from the public on his whereabouts.
Carlos Olivares, 31, was charged in an arrest warrant for sexual battery and false imprisonment, according to Santa Ana police Cpl. Anthony Bertagna.
Police issued surveillance video of the suspect last month, prompting tips from the public that helped investigators identify Olivares. DNA evidence also allegedly linked him to the incidents, Bertagna said.
When police went to Olivares' residence in the 1600 block of Highland Street, he was gone, Bertagna said.
Anyone with information about his whereabouts was asked to call Detective Javier Aceves at (714) 245-8542. Anonymous tips may be made through Orange County Crime Stoppers at (855) TIP-OCCS.
Olivares is Latino, 5-foot-5 and about 150 pounds. He has black hair, brown eyes and a scar on his chin.
The suspect, who told at least two victims his name is Victor, assaulted women on Sept. 4, Oct. 7 and Jan. 1, according to Bertagna.
The September attack happened just after 11 p.m. at Raitt Street, south of McFadden Avenue, Bertagna said. The suspect tried to start a conversation with a woman before grabbing her, pinning her against a tree out of sight of potential witnesses and then molesting her, Bertagna said.
The woman was able to get away by scratching the suspect's face and yelling for help, he said.
The October attack happened in a parking lot at 3701 S. Bristol St.
Police posted surveillance video of this attack on YouTube.
The suspect again tried to spark a conversation with the victim, telling her his name was Victor, Bertagna said. When the two got between parked cars, he molested her. The victim was able to shout for help as the man ran away, Bertagna said.
The third attack happened about 10 p.m. at Raitt Street north of McFadden on New Year's Day, Bertagna said. The suspect tried to start up a conversation and introduced himself as Victor, he said.
The woman punched him in the face as he groped her, Bertagna said. The suspect pushed the woman down and ran away, Bertagna said.
