Illegal Immigrant In Jail For Raping Child & Now Suspect In Purse Snatching

Santo Omar Martinez-Varela

Foto: CBS 12

Palm Beach County Sheriff's officials believe there may be more victims of an illegal immigrant rapist.

35-year old Santo Omar Martinez-Varela was arrested on Saturday and faced a judge a day later.

He's being held without bond for the sexual assault of a 13-year old girl near a park along Forest Hill Boulevard on January 3rd. Deputies used DNA evidence to link the man to the crime and after investigation they want to hear from other possible victims.

Anyone who recognizes Santo Martinez Varela or may have had any encounters with him is urged to contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-458-TIPS (8477) or Detective Viviana Skuza at SkuzaV@pbso.org or 561/688-4004.

In addition, PBSO now says Martinez-Varela will also face charges for a purse-snatching that took place near West Palm Beach the day after Christmas.

Detectives say the Honduran citizen crossed the southern border illegally in 2023 and traveled to Palm Beach without any contact with Border Patrol or law enforcement.


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