Man accused of groping 72-year-old woman in Cape Coral

Reporter: Asha Patel Writer: Nicholas Karsen
Published: Updated:
Luis Esteban Duarte Garcia, 19 mugshot. Credit: Lee County Sheriff’s Office

The Cape Coral Police Department has arrested a man for allegedly running up to and groping a 72-year-old woman.

According to police, Luis Esteban Duarte Garcia, 18, was arrested on May 27 after responding to a battery report at around 11:30 a.m.

Upon arrival, police interviewed Angela Johnson, who claimed that she was walking down a street when Garcia allegedly ran up to and grabbed her buttocks.

“He laughed this creepy, sick laugh and ran off down the street and took a corner and said, ‘Go ahead, report me,'” Johnson said.

After the assault, she witnessed him running into a nearby home under construction.

Once police entered the home, they were unable to locate Garcia through the description that Johnson gave.

Detectives received video footage showing a man exiting the same construction home and walking down the street in the direction of Johnson.

The video then showed Garcia watching Johnson for a few moments before chasing after her.

He then returned to the construction home to change his shirt before returning to work.

Garcia was then located in the same construction home later on, where he was arrested and charged with battery of a person 65 years or older.

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