PALM BEACH COUNTY, Fla. — An undocumented migrant accused of sexually assaulting a 13-year-old girl this month in Palm Beach County may have committed other crimes, according to deputies.
Santo Omar Martinez Varela, 35, was arrested after investigators said he attacked the teen Jan. 2 in the vicinity of Freedom Park near Pinehurst Drive and Forest Hill Boulevard.
Authorities said the teen wrestled with her attacker for about 30 minutes while the suspect tried to tie her up.
Martinez Varela faces charges of kidnapping and sexual assault in that case.
Detectives said Monday that Martinez Varela may have victimized more people, including two other recent incidents.
ATTEMPTED PURSE SNATCHING CASE
According to the sheriff's office, Martinez Varela is also suspected of trying to snatch a woman's purse on Dec. 26 near Dudley Drive E and Cresthaven Boulevard.
On Dec. 26 at about 10:45 p.m., a 29-year-old woman was walking when the incident occurred.
In that case, detectives said the suspect, sitting in an older-model sedan, waited for the victim to approach. He then exited the vehicle, brandished a firearm and attempted to grab her purse. Following a brief struggle, the suspect retreated to his car and fled the scene.
This incident occurred less than a 10-minute drive from Freedom Park.
In that case, Martinez Varela faces charges of robbery with a firearm and kidnapping during the commission of a felony.
TEEN REPORTED VAN FOLLOWING HER
Deputies arrested Martinez Varela on Jan. 7 after receiving a call from a 16-year-old who was walking and said she was being followed by a white van for about 15 minutes while she walked near Forest Hill Boulevard. They pulled the driver over and found Varela behind the wheel, booking him on a charge of driving without a license.
Anyone who recognizes him or may have had any encounters with Martinez Varela is urged to contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-458-TIPS (8477) or Detective Viviana Skuza at SkuzaV@pbso.org or 561-688-4004.
Officials said Martinez Varela crossed the Mexican border illegally in 2023 from Honduras, traveling to West Palm Beach without any contact with Border Patrol or law enforcement authorities.
He is being held at the Palm Beach County jail without bond.
