ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, Fla. – A man accused of inappropriately touching a woman at an Altamonte Springs Ulta Beauty on Easter Sunday has been arrested — and police say a second victim has also been identified.
Mario Gomez, 39, was arrested on April 18 in Ormond Beach. He faces two felony counts of battery stemming from two separate incidents in Altamonte Springs.
The first incident occurred on April 5 at Ulta Beauty near Crane’s Roost Park. Police say Gomez grabbed a woman from behind while she was shopping. The woman struck him before he fled.
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While investigating Gomez, detectives identified a second victim, who positively identified him through a photo lineup. A review of his criminal history revealed at least five to six prior guilty convictions for battery dating back to 2018, prompting prosecutors to upgrade both charges to felony battery.
After Altamonte Springs police determined he was in Volusia County, Gomez was arrested and transferred to Seminole County to face pending charges.
Anyone with information is asked to call Altamonte Springs police at 407-339-2441 or dial 911. Anonymous tips can be submitted to Crimeline at 800-423-TIPS.
Some people at the busy shopping center told News 6 they had seen the social media post about the incident.
“It’s scary because I live on the other side of Crane’s Roost and I walk my dog. I’m around here by myself a lot, so it’s unnerving to know that somebody is walking around, and we don’t know who it is,” one woman said.