West Melbourne Police Strategic Response Team Charge Homeless Man With Sexual Battery On Child

victim was able to get loose, punched the suspect several times then fled the residence

BREVARD COUNTY • WEST MELBOURNE, FLORIDA – The West Melbourne Police Strategic Response Team arrested Raul Martinez-Sanchez, 67, and charged him with Sexual Battery on a Person 14 to 16 Years of Age, False Imprisonment and Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor.

According to West Melbourne Police Captain Richard Cordeau, the incident started when officers were called to meet a sexual battery victim in the parking lot of the Melbourne Square Mall on Monday.

“Officers determined the victim to be a 14-year-old female,” said Capt. Cordeau.

“The victim was walking down West New Haven Avenue when the suspect made contact with her, befriended her, and was able to talk the victim into coming back to a garage he was living in at 44 McClain Drive, West Melbourne.”

According to Capt.Cordeau, once at the location, the suspect provided the victim several beers and ultimately committed a forcible sexual battery. The victim was able to get loose, punched the suspect several times then fled the residence. She subsequently called 911 and her family.

Martinez-Sanchez is homeless, and for several months, had moved into a garage located on the property of 44 McClain Drive. The property owner hired the suspect for clean-up of rental properties and was unaware the suspect had moved into this garage used for storage.

“Members of the WMPD Strategic Response Team conducted surveillance on November 28, 2017, and were able to locate the suspect,” said Capt.Cordeau.

“He was served with an arrest warrant after surrendering to law enforcement. The Criminal Investigations Division also served a search warrant at 44 McClain Drive and was able to recover multiple items of the victim’s property.”

Martinez-Sanchez was incarcerated at the Brevard County Jail and held on a $210,000 bond.

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