Illegal migrant arrested in 2 sex assaults
Comments 9
Mike Sakal

July 23, 2009 - 4:48PM



A 21-year-old Mesa man accused of committing two sexual assaults within 100 feet of each other and nearly a month apart was arrested Wednesday after a three-day investigation by Pinal County authorities and the Mesa and Maricopa police departments.



Elieel Obed Beltran-Rabago, an illegal immigrant from Mexico living in Mesa, was arrested on suspicion of three counts of sexual assault and kidnapping at his residence after a witness recognized him from a composite sketch and led authorities to his residence, according to the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office.

The alleged sexual assaults happened on June 25 and July 20, according to the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office.

Beltran-Rabago is accused of abducting the victim in each alleged sexual assault in Mesa and taking them to a desert area near Rio Bravo Road and Highway 238 outside the city limits of Maricopa. The alleged assault on June 25 was committed on the Gila River Indian Community, and the one on July 20 was committed about 100 feet away from the first one, according to the Pinal County Attorney’s Office. Shortly after committing the sexual assault on July 20, Beltran-Rabago is accused of abducting a man and robbing him after the victim’s wallet was found at the site of the second alleged sexual assault, according to the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office.

Beltran-Rabago also was arrested on suspicion of armed robbery and kidnapping in that crime, according to the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office.

Because of the nature of the crimes, and that both sexual assault victims are illegal immigrants, who may be less likely to report their assaults because of fear of deportation, authorities are investigating to determine whether there are any more victims, the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office said.

“It appears that he’s committed numerous heinous crimes,â€