California Man Arrested for Allegedly Raping Woman After Car Crash in Maryland

A California resident has been apprehended by Maryland authorities for allegedly sexually assaulting a woman on two occasions in Gaithersburg, Maryland, shortly after she experienced a vehicular collision.A statement issued by police claims the assault occurred on the evening of December 18, 2024 — however, the suspect, Mauricio Martinez-Garcia, was not taken into custody until December 5. The 27-year-old man's formal charges were announced by prosecutors on Wednesday, December 10.The victim filed a report with law enforcement following the alleged assault, informing officers that she did not know her attacker, according to a police statement.The woman informed detectives she had placed an order for food and beverages at a restaurant in Gaithersburg. While waiting at the bar for her order, she said an unidentified man approached her and insisted on paying her bill. She accepted his offer to cover her tab and subsequently moved to a table. She told police that she suddenly began to feel unwell and decided to head home.After leaving the establishment, the woman was involved in a single-vehicle accident that rendered her car inoperable.Police state that this is when Martinez-Garcia stopped his vehicle. The woman claimed that Martinez-Garcia approached her car and offered assistance. According to investigators, he then allegedly helped the woman into his car and drove them away from the scene, against her will.Martinez-Garcia reportedly transported the woman to an apartment where he proceeded to commit rape and sexual assault. Following the alleged initial attack, Martinez-Garcia drove the victim to her residence, where he sexually assaulted her a second time.Two days later, the woman visited a hospital and underwent a sexual assault forensic examination. Detectives collected evidence from both her person and her home.Investigators were able to link Martinez-Garcia to the assaults via a DNA match on December 5, 2025. Martinez-Garcia was ordered to provide a sample during an investigation conducted by the Department of the Army.Martinez-Garcia, who lists an address in Madera, California, faces charges including two counts of first-degree rape, one count of third-degree sexual offense, two counts of kidnapping, and five counts of second-degree assault, according to the Montgomery County Police Department statement.Police also allege they have learned that Martinez-Garcia is connected to another sexual assault case in Los Banos, California.Martinez-Garcia is currently incarcerated in a California jail while awaiting extradition to Maryland.It remains unclear whether Martinez-Garcia is the same individual who offered to pay the victim's bill.Martinez has not yet entered a formal plea, and information regarding his legal counsel, if retained, was unavailable at the time of publication.Authorities believe there may be additional victims and urge anyone with pertinent information to contact the Montgomery County Police Special Victims Investigations Division at (240) 773-5400.

If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).