Lake Elsinore Man Allegedly Admits To Lewd Acts Near High School

Murrieta police on Wednesday announced the apprehension of a suspect in connection with recent indecent exposure incidents reported near Murrieta Valley High School. 

Jaime Delgado Araujo, 53, of Lake Elsinore allegedly admitted to detectives that he was responsible for lewd acts the mornings of Sept. 5 and Sept. 12 along Washington Avenue in Murrieta, police said in a news release. 

In both instances, the suspect reportedly stopped his car along the sidewalk and masturbated as he stared at teenaged girls who were walking to the nearby high school. 

The car had been described by both victims as a 1990s model compact with faded or oxidized blue paint; the suspect had been described as a stocky, Hispanic male in his late 30s to early 50s, with dark, cropped hair.

While Murrieta police were conducting surveillance Wednesday morning near the campus, they spotted a vehicle at 6:55 a.m. matching the one described by the victims. 

“The detectives followed and witnessed the driver commit a lewd act in public. A traffic stop was conducted and the driver…was arrested,” said Murrieta police Lt. Tony Conrad. 

Araujo was taken to the Murrieta Police Department for questioning, where Conrad said he admitted to committing the acts.

“Araujo was also identified by one of the previous victims,” Conrad said.

Detectives arrested Araujo on suspicion of committing a lewd act in public. He was booked at Southwest Detention Center near Murrieta on suspicion of the misdemeanor—a citation that amounts to $2,500 bail.

“Detectives will also be requesting charges filed against Araujo for the two previous incidents,” Conrad said.

Anyone with further information regarding the investigation was encouraged to contact Detective Sgt. Phil Gomez at 951-461-6356. Tips may also be provided information anonymously through "We Tip" at 1-800-78-CRIME. --By Maggie Avants

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Editor’s Note: The outcome of these allegations, as well as the facts, may change as the case progresses through the legal system. Not all details of each investigation are made public. All items are alleged to have occurred. There should be no assumption of guilt.