A 32-year-old Orange County man is facing possible hate crime charges after he reportedly grabbed a woman by the buttocks with both hands inside of a store and made a comment about her ethnicity.
The Nov. 8 incident, according to a news release from the Westminster Police Department, occurred at around 7:45 a.m. at a retail outlet in the 13500 block of Beach Boulevard.
Police said the victim, a 43-year-old Garden Grove woman, entered the store and walked into the laundry aisle. She told investigators that when she bent down, the suspect, now identified as Westminster resident Aaron Navies, assaulted her.
“The victim alleged when she reached down to pick up an item, the arrestee without provocation and against her will grabbed her buttocks with both hands,” the release stated. “The victim immediately stood up, threw an item at Navies and backed away. Navies told the victim, ‘You don’t have rights because you’re Mexican and I can do what I want to.’”
Authorities added that when the woman, disgusted, began speaking Spanish, Navies “stuck his tongue out and moved it up and down in what she perceived as sexual in nature.”
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The Garden Grove woman immediately called police, who located him inside the store and detained him without incident.
After collecting evidence and speaking to both parties, authorities confirmed that the victim wanted to press charges and arrested Navies for a hate crime and sexual battery.
“The Westminster Police Department does not tolerate hate crimes,” the release noted. “If you or someone you know believe you may be the victim of a hate crime, please contact your local law enforcement agency for resources and assistance.”
While authorities said this appears to be an isolated incident, anyone with information about the investigation is urged to contact Westminster PD investigators at 714-898-3315. Anyone wishing to remain anonymous can call the Orange County Crime Stoppers Hotline at 855-TIP-OCCS or leave tips online at www.occrimestoppers.org.
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