Police Arrest Man Accused Of Annoying Girls In Lake Elsinore, Wildomar

A man suspected of trying to lure Wildomar and Lake Elsinore girls into his car -- and exposing his genitals to one -- has been arrested, according to police.

Jail records show Nicholas Mario Martinez, 22, was arrested by deputies from the Wildomar Police Department at 6:30 p.m. Friday on suspicion of annoyance and driving on a suspended license. He was released Saturday on bail and is due in court Oct. 18, according to the jail records.

The arrest came as girls and women say the suspect was harassing them.

On Aug. 22 at around 3:45 p.m., a girl was walking alone near the area of Orchard and Lemon streets in Wildomar when a man allegedly matching Martinez’s description drove up next to her and tried to get her into his green Geo four-door sedan, according to a news release issued by the Wildomar Police Department.

The girl fled the area on foot and sought safety at a nearby business, according to the news release. She later told her family about the incident and police were contacted.

A similar incident allegedly took place the next day, shortly after 5 p.m. According to the news release, a Wildomar deputy spotted a man matching the suspect’s description and driving a green car near Limited and Spring streets in Lake Elsinore.

The man, later identified as Martinez, was talking to a woman who was collecting cans.

“The suspect was arrested a short time later after he was positively identified as the man who attempted to harass the victim the day before,” the news release stated.

Following the arrest, police say another girl reported that she too was harassed around 4 p.m. the same day by a man matching Martinez's description, near the area of Lincoln Street and Riverside Drive in Lake Elsinore. According to police, the girl was walking alone when the man pulled his car over and asked if she wanted a ride.

When the girl refused, the man allegedly exposed his genitals to her, the news release stated.

The girl ran home and police were called.

During their investigation, police allege they found several women near City Park in Lake Elsinore who said a man matching Martinez’s description had harassed them on various dates and times over the past week.

Investigators believe there may be more victims in the areas of Wildomar and Lake Elsinore. Anyone who may have been approached by the suspect is asked to call Investigator Pelato at 951-245-3300.