MESA, Ariz. — A member of the Arizona National Guard was arrested after Mesa police said he sexually assaulted one woman and attacked another this month.
The Mesa Police Department announced Monday that 44-year-old Carl Creamer was brought into custody after police identified him as the owner of a vehicle connected to one of the crime scenes.
Officers began investigating the crime after a victim came forward on Aug. 16 and claimed that she had been sexually assaulted at gunpoint, police said.
The victim told police that she was offered a ride by a man in a Ford F-150 near Southern Avenue, and she said she was sexually assaulted and threatened with a knife after she accepted.
Ten days later, a second woman came forward saying that she had similarly been assaulted.
Police said the second woman was offered a ride near Main Street and groped by a man in a truck. When she refused to get in the truck, police said the man pistol-whipped her.
Police determined that the crime was done by the same person based on the descriptions given by both victims, the department said. Investigators searched the area near the first sexual assault scene and found surveillance video that depicted a gold 2000 Ford F-150 pickup with distinct rear-window decals.
A photo of the truck was shared by police, and investigators received a tip that linked the truck to Creamer.
Creamer was identified in a photo lineup by one of the victims and evidence was obtained at his residence linking both him and the truck to the crime scenes and the victims' stories, including:
- A tan-colored handgun described by both the victims
- A specific T-shirt mentioned by the victims worn by the man during the crime
- The decals that were removed from the truck
Creamer is a sergeant with the Arizona National Guard, according to military officials.
This is a developing story. Tune in to 12 News for the latest information.
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