California man who escaped to Mexico after alleged kidnapping, rape of teen girl arrested, investigators say

close

Video

Fox News Flash top headlines for Oct. 14

Fox News Flash top headlines for Oct. 14 are here. Check out what's clicking on Foxnews.com

California investigators on Monday announced the arrest of a man who had escaped to Mexico after allegedly raping a 16-year-old girl in 2002.

Juan Martinez Lopes, 39, was arrested last month and charged with rape and kidnapping, according to the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office, which called the crime a random act.

Lopes was accused of raping the girl in a field in Santa Rosa and then raping her again when he caught her after she broke free and tried to run away, Sgt. Juan Valencia said.

Juan Martinez Lopes, 39, was arrested last month, investigators announced. (Sonoma County Sheriff's Office)

CALIFORNIA BRAIN SURGEON ACCUSED OF CHILD SEX ABUSE FOUND DEAD IN JAIL CELL: REPORTS

Eventually, the girl was able to break free a second time, Valencia said. “She hid inside a nearby unlocked vehicle until Lopes was gone. Then she found a telephone and called for help,” he said.

He said Lopes was identified as a suspect when the teenager picked him out of a photo lineup.

WOMAN RAPED IN NEW YORK CITY AFTER GETTING LOST, ASKING MAN FOR DIRECTIONS, POLICE SAY

Lopes then took off to Mexico and a warrant was issued for his arrest, the sergeant said.

The case went cold until last month when Lopes was picked up for public intoxication in Madera County, according to Valencia.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

“Domestic Violence Sexual Assault Detectives obtained a search warrant for Lopes’ DNA and drove to Madera County to collect a sample of Lopes’ DNA as evidence,” he said.

Valencia said the evidence obtained from the victim's forensic examination linked Lopes to the crime.