Man suspected of sexual battery at South Bay CVS arrested

Domenick Candelieri
·2 min read

CHULA VISTA, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI) — A man was arrested Wednesday on suspicion of sexually battering a woman at a CVS in Chula Vista last week, authorities said.

Wesley Howard, 28, faces charges of felony sexual battery, assault with a deadly weapon and committing a felony while out on bail, Sgt. Anthony Molina with the Chula Vista Police Department (CVPD) said in a news release Thursday. Howard was out on bail from another arrest and listed as sex registrant in Chula Vista.

Authorities received a call on Feb. 2 around 2:50 p.m. from a woman in her late 30s saying she had been sexually battered and attacked by a man while inside the store at 691 Third Avenue.

“The woman was in line, inside the store, when the man approached from behind and touched her inappropriately,” Molina said. “She confronted the man, but instead of him running off, he followed her into the parking lot.”

Police say the woman was able to get into her car with her husband and three children and called 911. The family waited in the parking lot to keep track of the suspect, but he walked away and jumped into someone’s backyard.

Five Marines confirmed dead after helicopter crash in Pine Valley

Shortly after, the man then came back to the victim’s car and struck a back-passenger window with a knife near where one of the kids was sitting, prompting the family to drive away from the suspect, according to police. None of the children were hurt as the glass didn’t break.

Authorities attempted to search for the suspect who left the scene, but could not find him at that time.

On Wednesday, a San Diego police detective recognized the suspect from a photo that was distributed on a law enforcement flier, Molina said. Howard was identified as the suspect and officers arrested him at the Chula Vista police station when he was contacted to come about his sex registration.

Police are working to see if the suspect victimized any other people who have yet to report the occurrences. Anyone with information can contact San Diego County Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477 or submit a tip via P3tips (online or mobile application) if they wish to remain anonymous.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News.