Los Angeles County Sheriff’s deputies on Monday arrested a 28-year-old man in connection with an alleged sexual assault incident that took place inside a Whole Foods Market in Valencia, California, authorities said, as reported by The New York Post.
The suspect, identified as Jared Paul Estrada of Valencia, was taken into custody in Huntington Beach without incident, according to Sgt. Juan Murrales of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, Santa Clarita Valley Station. Estrada is being held on charges of indecent exposure and sexual battery, Murrales said.
“Through an extensive investigation, the detective bureau, along with the station special team, was able to track down the suspect related to that caper today in Huntington Beach,” Murrales said.
Los Angeles County Sheriff’s deputies arrested 28-year-old Jared Paul Estrada in Huntington Beach for a sexual assault that occurred at a Valencia Whole Foods in March.
Security footage captured the suspect exposing himself and pressing his genitals against a shopper’s face… pic.twitter.com/vVNyqYGXCD — Hot Takes Nobody Asked For (@HotTakesNobody) April 21, 2026
The incident occurred on March 23 at the Whole Foods location in Valencia, where a woman shopping inside the store was approached by a man later identified as Estrada. Authorities said the suspect exposed himself and carried out a sexual act that was captured on the store’s surveillance system.
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According to investigators, video footage shows the suspect approaching the woman while she was kneeling to examine items on a store shelf. The footage then shows him lowering his pants and pressing his exposed genitals against the woman’s ear while holding what appeared to be a cellphone.
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Following the incident, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department released information to the public seeking help identifying the suspect seen in the surveillance footage. Authorities said members of the public provided information that led to Estrada’s identification.
“With the public’s help, we were able to identify the suspect,” Murrales said.
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Law enforcement officials confirmed that Estrada was located and arrested in Huntington Beach. He remains in custody as the investigation continues.
Representatives for Whole Foods did not immediately respond to a request for comment following the arrest. However, the company had previously issued a statement regarding the incident.
“We are deeply concerned about the incident that occurred at our Valencia store on March 23,” a Whole Foods spokesperson said in a statement released last month.
“We are cooperating fully with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department in their investigation,” the statement continued. “We have provided all requested information to law enforcement.”
The sheriff’s department said investigators are not currently aware of any additional related incidents in the Santa Clarita area connected to the suspect.
Authorities have not released additional details regarding the victim, and no further information about court proceedings or bail status was immediately available.
The case remains under investigation by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.
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