Man Sexually Assaulted Woman During Facial At OC Mall, Police Say

SANTA ANA, CA — A 26-year-old man was arrested after he allegedly sexually assaulted a woman at a retail business inside an Orange County mall, police said.

The assault was reported on Jan. 15 at around 9 p.m., when a 44-year-old woman went to the Santa Ana Police Department to report the incident, police said.

The woman told investigators that she had visited Bee & Co., a business inside of MainPlace Mall in Santa Ana, where she bought facial cream and was offered a complimentary facial.

After agreeing to the service, the woman said she was introduced to a male employee who escorted her to a back room for a facial and massage.

According to the woman, the employee sexually assaulted her during the service.

The suspect, identified as Jermi Gerardo Characoto Caraballo, 26, of Santa Ana, was arrested on Jan 28. in the MainPlace Mall parking lot.

He was booked into the Santa Ana Jail on sexual assault-related charges, and bail was set at $100,000, police said.

Investigators believe there may be additional victims or witnesses connected to the case. Anyone with information is urged to contact Detective Corporal D. Gray at 714-245-8381 or via email at dgray@santa-ana.org. Anonymous tips may also be submitted through Orange County Crime Stoppers at 1-855-TIP-OCCS.