Accused Mercer County rapist caught getting on plane to Aruba
A man accused of raping a young woman in Mercer County is behind bars after being arrested while on his way out of the country.
JEFFERSON TWP., Pa. - EDITORS NOTE: Jesus Arias De La Cruz was found not guilty of all charges on June 17, 2020.
A man accused of raping a young woman in Mercer County is behind bars after being arrested while on his way out of the country.
Jesus Arias De La Cruz, 35, is charged with rape, sexual assault, and indecent sexual assault after he was captured getting on a plane headed to Aruba.
De La Cruz was visiting Mercer County from Aruba, according to police.
Police said the incident happened during a party on Seidle Road in Jefferson Township on July 20.
The 20-year-old victim told police she was trying to sleep in a room inside the residence when De La Cruz came into the room and forcibly raped her on a couch, according to the police report.
Police said he was taken into custody at the Pittsburgh International Airport the same day the incident took place.
He's sitting in the county jail on a $350,000 bond and is awaiting a preliminary hearing Thursday.
21 News Anytime, Anywhere.
Download the app
Watch on TV
Connect on social media
