October 30, 2021 - Merced – On October 23, 2021, Merced Police responded to a call for service about the sexual assault of a child. The caller identified Martin Villalobos (34) of Merced as the suspect. Villalobos was detained by responding officers after he fled the scene.

Detectives responded to assist with the investigation. Through further investigation, detectives determined that the sexual abuse between Villalobos and the victim was ongoing. It is unknown if there are any additional victims. Villalobos was arrested for various charges that included continuous sexual acts with a child under 14, oral copulation with a child 10-years-old or younger, and sexual intercourse with a child 10-years-old or younger. Villalobos was booked into the Merced County Jail. Villalobos remains in custody without bail.

Case Number: 2021-64403

Merced Police are asking anyone with any information regarding this incident to contact Detective Gorman at 209-388-7715 or by email at gomana@cityofmerced.org.

Other ways to contact us or report crime include:

For any emergency call or text 911

For non-emergency call 209-385-6912

Anonymous Tip Line (Non-emergency) call 209-385-4725

Anonymous Tips online at http://www.mercedareacrimestoppers.org/index.html.

Some crimes can be reported online through the Merced PD website https://www.cityofmerced.org/departments/police.

Source: Merced Police Department