An investigation into a November incident in which a 14-year-old girl was coerced into a vehicle, has led to the arrest of a 25-year-old Ark City man. The female was eventually dropped off the day of the incident and was unharmed.
Marvin Andres Chica-Batz was booked into the Cowley County Jail on numerous charges, including identity theft, a no-bond warrant for a parole violation through the Kansas Dept. of Corrections and two warrants for making false information and forgery in Comanche County.
Chica-Batz was booked into jail the morning of Dec. 11 and remains in custody. His bond is set at $50,000.
On Nov. 6, Ark City Police received a report from a 14-year-old female, who stated that a day earlier, while walking home from school, she was approached by a male subject in a vehicle who coerced her into getting in. The victim reported that the male subject drove her around town for some time, and when she asked to be dropped off, he complied, releasing her safely without further incident.
Detectives conducted a thorough interview with the victim, collecting key details, such as a description of the male subject, the vehicle he was driving, and parts of the route taken. Continue story below ad.
Surveillance footage from various locations supported the victim’s account, police said through a written statement.
Chica-Batz was eventually developed as a suspect and it was determined that officers had previously encountered him but that he had provided a different name each time. Further investigation uncovered his true identity and multiple active arrest warrants.
The suspect was arrested for the outstanding warrant and charges. Information regarding the Nov. 5 incident has been forwarded to the Cowley County Attorney’s office for consideration of additional charges.
