A disturbing confrontation in an Orange County store has led to charges of sexual battery and a hate crime against a Westminster man. On the morning of November 8, a 43-year-old Garden Grove woman, Maribel Vergara, was subjected to an unprovoked assault when Aaron Navies allegedly grabbed her buttocks inside a retail outlet. According to KTLA, Navies is accused of telling Vergara, "You don’t have rights because you’re Mexican and I can do what I want to."
The victim was shopping in a laundry aisle when an incident occurred. Following the assault, Vergara responded by throwing an item at Navies and distancing herself from her assailant, as reported by the Westminster Police Department. Navies reportedly continued to harass Vergara by making a sexually suggestive gesture with his tongue after she began speaking Spanish. Officers arrived swiftly after the victim's 911 call and detained Navies without further incident.
The Westminster Police Department has been clear about its stance, reiterating that such hate crimes will not be tolerated. Cmdr. Michael Harvey said, "Like any other crime, we want to public to know this is not tolerated," as quoted by NBC Los Angeles. The incident, they say, appears to be an isolated one.
Authorities urge anyone with more information to contact the Westminster Police Department or anonymously through the Orange County Crime Stoppers.
