CMPD: Suspect arrested and charged after sexually assaulting teen in Harris Teeter parking lot

CHARLOTTE — Police have arrested a man accused of forcing a teen into a car against her will and sexually assaulting her Thursday in the parking lot of a southeast Charlotte Harris Teeter, Charlotte-Mecklenburg police said.

Police said 39-year-old Lorenzo Esteban sexually assaulted the teen at the Harris Teeter parking lot on Wyalong Drive at the intersection of Margaret Wallace and Idlewild Roads around 7 p.m.

Officers responded to Novant Health Mint Hill Medical Center in reference to a sexual assault and kidnapping report where the victim detailed her attack.

Sources told Channel 9′s Glenn Counts, that Esteban lured the 16-year-old victim into his car and then surprised her by sexually assaulting her.

The victim told police she did not know her attacker.

CMPD’s sexual assault unit assisted the investigation and canvassed the area before identifying Esteban as the suspect.

Detectives located and interviewed Esteban before transferring him to the custody of the Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office and charging him with second-degree sex offense and attempted second-degree sex offense.

Esteban will make his first appearance in court on Monday.

Police told our Glenn Counts that in these types of assaults the suspect usually has had prior arrests.

Esteban has a clean record and nothing in his past to indicate he would be involved in something like this.

CMPD has not released any further information to Channel 9 in this case.

Channel 9 spoke with shoppers who said they were surprised by the incident and expressed concerns for the girl who was assaulted.

“It’s very disturbing because I have young children. And it’s just I don’t know. It’s just real. I hope they get everything situated, and I hope she gets the closure that she needs to move on,” shopper Nichole Chambers said.

“I’ve lived in this area for a while and normally it is really safe,” shopper Karen Birckhead.

Marvin Johnson said the incident hit home for him because he has a 14-year-old daughter.

“Oh, I tell my daughter all the time. I tell her all the time to be careful. Your head got to stay on a swivel so my wife too,” Johnson said.

This is a developing story. Check back with wsoctv.com for updates.

(WATCH BELOW: Calls for change regarding CMS’ handling of sexual assault reports continue to grow)

Calls for change regarding CMS' handling of sexual assault reports continue to grow

©2022 Cox Media Group