A man was arrested after being accused of violating a 21-year-old woman in Merlo. The victim was returning home after working at an ice cream shop when the sexual assault occurred on Route 40, near the Presidente Perón highway, during the early hours of last Wednesday. The woman's report led to the identification of the suspect as Jonathan Gabriel Quiroga, a local resident.
The young woman reported that, upon getting off the bus, she was approached by the man armed with a knife who took her to a nearby stream, where he sexually assaulted her. During the struggle, the victim suffered a fracture of the tibia and fibula, and the attacker stole her cell phone, money, and a cap. Officers revealed that the young woman recalled the words of the attacker: "Stay quiet and walk because I'm going to rob you," while he threatened her with the knife.
Afterward, the young woman went home and sought help from the police, who immediately took her to a hospital for prophylactic procedures and emotional support. Once she felt capable, she went to the 6th police station of Mariano Acosta to formalize her complaint, as previously described at the health center.
For his part, prosecutor Patricio Ventricelli from the 6th Prosecutor's Office of Morón ordered a special approach to the case following the protocol for situations of sexual abuse. Jonathan Gabriel Quiroga remains detained under charges of serious injuries for gender-based violence, aggravated sexual abuse, and for committing the crime with a weapon.