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A 32-year-old Orange County man is facing hate crime charges after he reportedly grabbed a woman’s buttocks with both hands and made comments about her ethnicity inside a store.
The Nov. 8 incident occurred around 7:45 a.m. at a retail store in the 13500 block of Beach Boulevard, according to a news release from the Westminster Police Department.
Police said the victim, a 43-year-old Garden Grove woman, entered the store and entered the laundry aisle. She told investigators that when she bent over, the suspect, now identified as Aaron Nevis, of Westminster, assaulted her.
“The victim stated that when she reached for the item, the arrestee, without provocation or resistance, grabbed her buttocks with both hands,” the release states. . “The victim immediately stood up, threw an object at Navies, and backed away. Navies told the victim, “You have no rights because you’re Mexican, and I can do whatever I want.” .
Authorities added that when the woman became disgusted and began speaking Spanish, Navies “sticked out his tongue and moved it up and down, perceiving the woman as sexual in nature.”
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The Garden Grove woman immediately called police, who located the man inside the store and took him into custody without incident.
After gathering evidence and speaking with both parties, authorities determined the victim wanted to press charges and arrested Navies on hate crime and sexual assault charges.
“The Westminster Police Department does not tolerate hate crimes,” the release states. “If you believe you or someone you know may be the victim of a hate crime, please contact your local law enforcement agency for resources and assistance.”
Authorities say this appears to be an isolated incident, but are asking anyone with information regarding the investigation to contact Westminster Police Department detectives at 714-898-3315. If you wish to remain anonymous, you can call the Orange County Crime Stoppers Hotline at 855-TIP-OCCS or leave a tip online at www.occrimestoppers.org.
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