AUSTIN, TX – A Texas woman stranded with a flat tire was abducted and sexually assaulted by a man who initially offered to help, police report.
Reynaldo Tapia-Arcibar, 31, faces charges of aggravated kidnapping and sexual abuse following the May 16 incident, as per Travis County Jail records. Around 3:30 a.m. that day, Austin dispatchers received a distress call from a woman who reported being sexually assaulted. She explained that her assailant lured her into his “boxy white SUV” after she had been waiting for assistance for an hour in the northeastern part of the city.
According to the affidavit, Tapia-Arcibar told the woman he would take her to get a replacement tire, but once she was inside, he quickly shut the door and drove her to an apartment complex approximately 10 minutes away. The woman tried to escape by unlocking the car doors but was unsuccessful. She managed to send her location to a friend and later called 911 after escaping the vehicle.
Police arrived at the scene within 10 minutes, thanks to the woman’s quick thinking in sharing her location. Austin Police Association President Michael Bullock noted the importance of sharing one’s location in emergencies, stating it significantly aids law enforcement in responding swiftly.
Seven hours after the initial report, officers identified a man matching the woman’s description leaving an apartment in the same complex, located at the Wildwood Apartments on Cameron Road. Tapia-Arcibar was subsequently arrested.
Bullock emphasized the tragedy of the incident and advised those waiting for roadside assistance to contact local police to wait with them until help arrives. He also recommended that individuals request the name and vehicle details of the responder when calling services like AAA.
Tapia-Arcibar is currently held on a $50,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in court on June 12. If he posts bond, he will be required to wear a GPS ankle monitor and have no contact with the victim. Under Texas law, aggravated kidnapping is a first-degree felony, carrying a potential life sentence and fines up to $10,000.