Yucca Valley man suspected of sexual battery, detectives believe there may be more victims
YUCCA VALLEY, Calif. (KESQ) - A 65-year-old Yucca Valley man was arrested after allegedly sexually assaulting a man and a teenager.
Mark L. Wilkes was arrested on Wednesday at his home. He was charged Monday with sexual battery and arranging a meeting with minor for purpose of exposing genitals, according to court records. He is scheduled to be arraigned on Tuesday.
The San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department noted two incidents allegedly involving Wilkes.
On Nov. 25, deputies responded to a report of a sexual assault on the 56000 block of Twentynine Palms Highway in Yucca Valley. An 18-year-old man told deputies that he was walking behind a local business when he was approached by the suspect, who was driving a black truck. After a brief verbal exchange, the victim was sexually assaulted.
(Courtesy of SBCSD)
Deputies were called out to another incident on Dec. 10 on the 7500 block of Kickapoo Trail. The 16-year-old victim reported he was inside a nearby business when he was approached by a man. The suspect initiated a sexually explicit and inappropriate conversation with the 16-year-old victim.
Morongo Basin Station detectives investigated both incidents. Based on their expedient investigation into the suspect’s identity, they were able to identify and link Wilkes as the same suspect in both incidents.
He was arrested and remains in custody on $250,000 bail.
Investigators said they believe that Wilkes may have assaulted additional victims in the Morongo Basin and Coachella Valley.
According to the Sheriff's Dept., detectives were able to identify Wilkes' vehicles using FLOCK technology. They learned that the vehicles traveled through the Morongo Basin and in the low desert of Riverside County.
(Courtesy of SBCSD)
Any additional victims are urged to contact the Morongo Basin Sheriff’s Station to report the crime.
Persons with information related to this investigation are asked to contact Detective Ables of the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department Morongo Basin Station at (760) 366-4175. Anyone wishing to remain anonymous may contact We-Tip AT 1-888-78-CRIME.
Stay with News Channel 3 for any new developments.
