Photo: BrianAJackson / iStock / Getty Images
LONG BEACH (CNS) - A suspect has been arrested in three sexual batteries against women in Long Beach, and authorities Wednesday appealed for other possible victims to contact police.
"Through their investigation, Sex Crimes detectives identified the suspect as Meliton Santoyo Jaramillo, a 38-year-old resident of Norwalk ..." police said in a statement. "Detectives believe that suspect Jaramillo was working as a gardener for the victims in each of the incidents."
Jaramillo was arrested Monday in La Mirada and booked on suspicion of three counts of sexual battery, police said.
Authorities believe he is responsible for the following incidents:
-- In August 2023 at Bellflower Boulevard and Wardlow Road, a sexual battery against an elderly female victim.
-- In August 2023 at Bellflower Boulevard and Wardlow Road, a sexual battery against a second elderly female victim.
-- And on Feb. 22, 2024, at Bellflower Boulevard and Wardlow Road, a sexual battery against a female adult victim.
The case was presented to the Long Beach City Prosecutor's Office, which issued an arrest warrant, police said.
Detectives believe there may be additional unreported crimes, and they urged other possible victims to contact the LBPD Sex Crimes Detail at 562- 570-7368. Tipsters may also call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS, or use the website www.lacrimestoppers.org.