Second striker arraigned after sexual assaults on two girls under 14

Picture Courtesy of KTLA

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Case # 10CF1242

May 20, 2010

 
SECOND STRIKER TO BE ARRAIGNED ON CHARGES SURROUNDING FOUR RESIDENTIAL BURGLARIES AND SEXUAL ASSAULTS ON TWO GIRLS UNDER 14

* Defendant was linked through DNA to the sexual assault of Jane Doe #1  

SANTA ANA – A second striker will be arraigned today on charges surrounding four residential burglaries and sexual assaults on two girls under the age of 14. Roberto Jacobo Reyes, 47, Santa Ana, is charged with one felony count of forcible lewd act on a child under 14, one felony count of lewd act upon child under 14, and two felony counts of first degree residential burglary with sentencing enhancements and allegations for committing lewd acts during the commission of residential burglaries and committing lewd acts on multiple victims. The defendant also faces enhancements for a prior strike conviction and prison prior from a 2003 residential burglary (Case #02CF3324). If convicted, he faces a sentence of 115 years and eight months to life in state prison. The People will be requesting that the defendant be held on $1 million bail at his arraignment scheduled for today, Thursday, May 20, 2010, in Department CJ-1, Central Jail, Santa Ana. The time is to be determined.

At approximately 9:00 p.m. on Feb. 19, 2010, Reyes is accused of entering the bedroom of 11-year-old Jane Doe #1 while she was asleep. He is accused of kissing Jane Doe #1’s face and breasts. Reyes is also accused of fondling the victim’s vagina and breasts over her clothes, waking Jane Doe #1. Reyes is accused of holding down the victim and covering her mouth so she was unable to scream. Jane Doe #1 kicked and ran out of her bedroom and called police. Reyes is accused of fleeing the scene. Santa Ana Police Department Crime Scene Investigators collected DNA evidence at the scene.

At approximately 1:00 a.m. on Jan. 24, 2010, Reyes is accused of breaking into 13-year-old Jane Doe #2’s Santa Ana residence through her bedroom window. Reyes is accused of rubbing Jane Doe #2 down the side of her body while she was sleeping. He is accused of waking Jane Doe #2 causing her to scream. Reyes is accused of fleeing the scene. The victim called 911.

In the early morning of Oct. 25, 2009, Reyes is accused of entering the home of 19-year-old Jane Doe #3 in Santa Ana. While the victim was asleep, the defendant is accused of rubbing her thigh and waking Jane Doe #3. When the victim screamed, Reyes is accused of fleeing the scene. Jane Doe #3 called police.

In the early morning of July 12, 2009, Reyes is accused of breaking into 22-year-old Jane Doe #4’s Santa Ana residence while she was sleeping. The defendant is accused of reaching through the window and touching the foot of the victim, waking Jane Doe #4. The victim screamed and the defendant is accused of fleeing the scene. Jane Doe #4 called 911 later that morning.

On May 7, 2010, the DNA collected at the crime scene involving Jane Doe #1 was linked to Reyes’ DNA. The defendant had previously submitted a DNA sample as a result of the 2003 burglary conviction. The defendant was sentenced to four years in state prison for that case and deported back to Mexico upon completing his sentence. The defendant is accused of illegally returning to Orange County and committing these crimes. Reyes was linked to the crimes surrounding Jane Doe #2, Jane Doe #3, and Jane Doe #4 through additional evidence collected during the investigation. Reyes is married with children. 

The Santa Ana Police Department and Orange County District Attorney’s Office are jointly investigating this ongoing case. Anyone who believes they have been a victim is encouraged to contact Supervising District Attorney Investigator Randy Litwin at (714) 347-8794 or Santa Ana Police Detective Ed Zaragoza at (714) 245-8351. 

 Deputy District Attorney Robert Mestman of the Sexual Assault Unit is prosecuting this case.

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Art Pedroza Editor

Our Editor, Art Pedroza, worked at the O.C. Register and the OC Weekly and studied journalism at CSUF and UCI. He has lived in Santa Ana for over 30 years and has served on several city and county commissions. When he is not writing or editing Pedroza specializes in risk control and occupational safety. He also teaches part time at Cerritos College and CSUF. Pedroza has an MBA from Keller University.

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