The Long Beach Police Department is looking for additional victims of a gardener accused of sexually assaulting women, including two incidents targeting elderly women.

Norwalk resident Meliton Santoyo Jaramillo, 38, was arrested Monday in La Mirada and booked into the Long Beach City Jail on three counts of sexual battery. He is being held without bail.

Meliton Santoyo Jaramillo
Meliton Santoyo Jaramillo is shown in an April 8, 2024, photo provided by the Long Beach Police Department.

He was accused in three incidents, all of which occurred near the intersection of Bellflower Boulevard and Wardlow Road:

  • August 2023: Sexual battery against an elderly female victim
  • August 2023: Sexual battery against a second elderly female victim
  • Feb. 22, 2024: Sexual battery against a female adult victim 

“Detectives believe that suspect Jaramillo was working as a gardener for the victims in each of the incidents,” the LBPD said in a release.

Investigators believe there could be additional victims, and anyone with information is asked to call 562-570-7368.

Information can be submitted anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or by visiting lacrimestoppers.org