| For Immediate Release Case # 08HF1709, 08HF1893
October 3, 2008 |
Susan Kang Schroeder Public Affairs Counsel Office: 714-347-8408 Cell: 714-292-2718 Farrah Emami |
MAN CHARGED FOR SEXUALLY ASSAULTING TWO WOMEN AT KNIFE POINT IN HIS TRUCK IN INDUSTRIAL PARKING LOTS
NEWPORT BEACH – A man will be arraigned on charges of raping and attempting to murder one woman by stabbing her in the head and sexually assaulting another in a parking lot. Juan Carlos Martinez, 28, Santa Ana, was initially charged Sep. 11, 2008, with felonies for attempted murder, second degree robbery, forcible rape, aggravated assault, and a sentencing enhancement allegation for causing great bodily injury for Jane Doe #1 (08HF1709). The OCDA charged him today, Friday, Oct. 3, 2008, with felonies for kidnapping to commit a sex offense, forcible oral copulation, aggravated assault, robbery, and assault with the intent to commit a sexual assault, and a sentencing enhancement for the use of a weapon in a forcible sex crime for Jane Doe #2 (08HF1893). The cases will likely be consolidated at a later date. He faces a maximum sentence of 80 years to life if convicted. Martinez is being held on $1 million bail for each case and is subject to an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) hold. He is scheduled for continued arraignment, Friday, Nov. 7, 2008, at 8:30 a.m. in Department H-1, Harbor Justice Center, Newport Beach.
At approximately 10:30 p.m. on May 8, 2008, 26-year-old Jane Doe #1 was walking on Harbor Boulevard approaching McFadden Avenue in Costa Mesa. Martinez is accused of driving up to the victim in a red pick-up truck and offering to give Jane Doe #1 a ride. The victim got into the car and directed Martinez to a Motel 6 on Harbor Boulevard in Costa Mesa, where she had a room. While driving, Martinez is accused of changing directions and driving away from the motel, ultimately parking in a secluded commercial zone parking lot. He is accused of pulling out a switchblade knife and pushing it against Jane Doe #1’s neck. Martinez is accused of demanding “sex or money, b****,” and then forcing the victim at knife point to undress because she had no money.
Martinez is accused of forcibly raping the victim as she struggled to get away. He is accused of pulling away, gripping his knife, and stabbing the victim in the left temple. Martinez is accused of pulling the knife out from the victim’s head, cutting her face from her neck to her cheek, and stabbing her in the stomach as Jane Doe #1 fought for her life. Jane Doe #1 was able to escape naked from the car and run to the parking lot of a nearby motel. She was transported to Western Medical Center, treated for her injuries, and given a sexual assault examination. As a result of this attack, the Costa Mesa Police Department (CMPD) released a bulletin to other law enforcement agencies with a description of the crime, defendant, and car.
At approximately 11:30 p.m. on Aug. 21, 2008, 23-year-old Jane Doe #2 was sitting on a bus bench on Harbor Boulevard in Santa Ana. When Jane Doe #2 got up and began walking down the street, Martinez is accused of pulling up in his truck, parking at the curb, and running up to the victim. He is accused of grabbing her by the neck and holding a 4-inch knife to her neck. Martinez is accused of demanding sex or money and then forcing Jane Doe #2 into the passenger seat of his truck. He is accused of parking in an industrial area, climbing over the seat, and forcibly orally copulating the victim at knife point. Martinez is accused of cutting Jane Doe #2’s hands with the knife as she struggled to get away and escaped. Jane Doe #2 was taken to the hospital and a police report was filed.
On Aug. 30, 2008, officers from the Santa Ana Police Department saw a truck matching the description from a SAPD bulletin, with a similar description to the one released by CMPD. The officers pulled over the car and arrested Martinez for driving without a valid license. The defendant was held on an ICE hold and a DNA swab was taken. On Sep. 9, 2008, Martinez DNA was linked to the rape of Jane Doe #1. Forensic evidence was located in Martinez’ car linking him to Jane Doe #2.
The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with additional information is encouraged to contact Costa Mesa Police Detectives Mike Delgadillo at (714) 754-5197 or Mike Cohen at (714) 754-5178, Supervising District Attorney Investigator Randy Litwin at (714)347-8794, or Santa Ana Police Detective Ed Zaragoza at (714)245-8378.