A man is accused of trapping a victim in his car for more than five hours Saturday. According to the Gainesville Police Department, he allegedly tried to perform oral sex on the victim, who is mildly autistic.
Steven Grimes, 47, of 26433 W. Newberry Road, was charged with kidnapping and attempted sexual battery.
Grimes drove up to the male victim around 9:30 a.m. Saturday, the police report said. The victim was looking for work, and Grimes offered him $20 to wash his car. Grimes then asked the victim to get inside.
Once inside his car, Grimes placed $50 on the center console and said his plan changed.
Grimes told the victim he was taking him to a parking lot located at 6250 NW 23rd St., next to Northwood Village Shopping Center. According to the police report, Grimes offered the money to perform oral sex on the victim.
The victim tried to get out of the car, but Grimes grabbed his shirt, pulled him back inside and reportedly threatened to harm his family. He began to drive.
While driving, Grimes is accused of trying to pull down the victim’s pants multiple times, but he failed because the victim wore a belt. According to the police report, Grimes also tried grabbing the victim’s crotch.
The incident lasted from around 10:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The victim was able to exit the vehicle by promising Grimes he would meet him later that evening, the police report states.
When the victim’s mother picked him up, the two noticed Grimes driving behind them, the police report read. The victim identified Grimes’ vehicle and license plate number to law enforcement.
When questioned afterward, Grimes claimed the incident was consensual. He was charged with attempted sexual battery and kidnapping and is being held at Alachua County Jail. His bond is set at $100,000.
Contact Sarah at smandile@alligator.org. Follow her on Twitter @sarahmandile.
