Woman says man tried to sexually assault her at tire shop; 1 arrested, CMPD says

CHARLOTTE — An arrest has been made after a woman told police a man tried to sexually assault her at a Charlotte tire shop.

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department said on Tuesday, they were called to Monroe Road near Briar Creek Road. A police report shows the building they were called to is home to Mr. Tire Auto Service Centers.

“It’s honestly scary because I go to the shop myself, so I have to take more precaution with that,” said Francis Honeycutt, a customer.

Authorities said someone called police saying a man she didn’t know went into the bathroom while she was inside and tried to sexually assault her.

“It’s concerning,” said Jessica Martinez, another customer. “A city like Charlotte that seems so good to live in to see this type of situation.”

Court documents show the victim helped detectives quickly identify the suspect. Police arrested 30-year-old Eleno Cervantes-Juarez, who Channel 9 learned was in the U.S. illegally.

Court records show the woman had told the manager about what happened and called 911. Then, she saw the suspect get into a white work van. She recorded video of the van leaving the parking lot and was able to capture the license plate and side profile of the suspect. The video also showed what the suspect was wearing.

Detectives used that video to track down the van’s owner, which led them to Cervantes-Juarez.

Martinez believes this is one of the many examples of why women need to stay vigilant.

“It’s sad,” Martinez said. “It’s something that, unfortunately, we have to be aware of all the time no matter what age you are.”

Cervantes-Juarez was arrested and charged with second-degree attempted rape, sexual battery, first-degree kidnapping, and assault on a female. He’s being held in the Mecklenburg County jail without bond.

“I keep pepper spray on me at all times,” Honeycutt told Channel 9. “I’m always looking at my surroundings, especially being with kids.”

ICE officials said U.S. Border Patrol encountered Cervantes-Juarez, a Mexican national, on Aug. 17, 2022, near Nogales, Arizona, after he got into the country illegally. ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Atlanta filed a detainer on Cervantes-Juarez after the Charlotte Mecklenburg police arrested him.

A representative for Mr. Tire said their employees have annual training on handling emergencies, including de-escalation.

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