Crime & Safety

Police: Arlington Man Attempted to Rape Ex-Girlfriend on Thanksgiving

Suspect remained in custody Monday.

A 36-year-old Arlington man was charged with attempting to rape an ex-girlfriend on Thanksgiving, according to information police released today.

Mario Antonio Aroche Perez was arrested and charged with attempted rape, burglary and providing a false ID to police. He was held without bond.

Shortly before 8 p.m. on Thanksgiving, Perez went to his ex-girlfriend's apartment in the 4300 block of North Henderson Road in the Buckingham community, according to police.

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Perez allegedly kicked in the front door and began punching the woman, 38, in the face. He then pinned her to the wall, ripped her shirt and skirt, and attempted to rape her, police spokesman Dustin Sternbeck said.

Police do not suspect alcohol or drugs were a factor.

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"I can't get in the head of these criminals. There was nothing that stuck out, that said this is why he did it," Sternbeck said. "But he knew that it was a past relationship. It wasn't like they were still talking."

The woman's boyfriend was home at the time. Hearing the commotion, he came out of the bathroom and verbally confronted Perez before calling 911, according to police.

At that point, Perez ran away. Police found him at a nearby apartment. They surrounded the apartment he was known to stay, Sternbeck said, and he attempted to get out through a back window when officers knocked on the front door.

It turned out an officer was waiting at the back window, too.

Investigators aren't sure whether Perez knew the woman's new boyfriend. All parties speak limited English, Sternbeck said.

The woman declined medical attention for her minor injuries, Sternbeck said.

Perez remained in custody as of Monday, Sternbeck said.


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