Rape Suspect Charged In Connection With Woodbridge Assault: Cops

WOODBRIDGE, VA — A Woodbridge man was arrested and charged with rape on Tuesday, according to the Prince William County Police Department. Authorities said the incident occurred after a man and a woman met each other at a local business on Saturday evening.

On Sunday morning, officers responded to the area near Armstead Street and Brice Street to investigate the reported rape. The victim, who police identified as a 30-year-old woman, told police that she was sexually assaulted on Saturday, Sept. 11.

On Saturday evening, the victim met an unknown man, who was later identified as Jaime Garcia Mendoza, at a local business, according to the police report. Later on Saturday, the victim offered to give the accused a ride home, authorities said.

At some point on their drive, the victim stopped her vehicle and asked the accused to get out, police said. The accused complied, but authorities believed that he took the victim's phone as he left the vehicle.

"The victim ran after the accused who had gone into a nearby wooded area where a physical

altercation ensued over the phone," the police department wrote in their report. "During the encounter, the accused began to remove the victim’s clothing before sexually assaulting her."

The accused fled the area after the assault, authorities said. The victim went back to her vehicle and contacted police the next morning.

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During their investigation, detectives with the Special Victims Unit were able to identify the accused and accused arrest warrants for him. On Tuesday, Sept. 14, Garcia Mendoza was arrested in Arlington by members of the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force.

He is charged with one count of rape and is being held without bond. His court date is currently pending.

Resources are available to help victims of rape and sexual assault. The Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network operates a hotline that can be reached at 1-800-656-4673. Locally, ACTS offers several services for victims of sexual assault, including a 24/7 hotline at 703-368-4141.