Brawley Police Arrest Man Following Sexual Battery Near Witter Elementary School

Brawley, CA — A 31-year-old Brawley man identified as Felipe Garcia is in custody following a series of alarming incidents near Witter Elementary School on Monday, November 18, 2024.

The Brawley Police Department received a 911 call at approximately 5:07 PM reporting a sexual battery outside the school on 150 K Street. According to the report, the victim, an adult female waiting for her children, was approached from behind by Garcia, who groped her before fleeing the scene.

Shortly after, another 911 call reported Garcia entering the backseat of the victim’s vehicle. However, when he noticed the victim on the phone, he fled the scene again.

Officers responded swiftly and located Garcia nearby. As they attempted to detain him, Garcia resisted and initiated a physical struggle. During the confrontation, Garcia attempted to disarm one of the officers by grabbing their firearm. After a prolonged struggle, officers subdued Garcia and took him into custody.

Garcia was booked into the Imperial County Jail on multiple charges, including:

Violation of probation

Attempted removal of a firearm from a peace officer

Assault on a peace officer

Resisting and obstructing a peace officer

Tampering with a motor vehicle

Sexual battery

Battery on school grounds

Garcia is being held without bail.

In a post on the Facebook group Rants and Raves, Jesus Enriquez shared additional details, noting that the suspect initially attempted to get into a woman’s car with her children still inside. “He managed to get in the car, and the woman was able to drag him out and call 911,” Enriquez wrote. He added that the school was already aware of the man’s earlier behavior and had been trying to secure the gates prior to his arrest.

Anyone with additional information is encouraged to contact Commander John Tang at (760) 344-2111 or via email at jang@brawley-ca.gov.