Homeless Man Arrested for Committing Sexual Battery on Multiple Victims in Long Beach

Long Beach police have apprehended a 57-year-old homeless man, identified as Charles Larry Matthews, on charges of sexual battery against two women and a teenager in separate incidents that occurred last week. The arrest comes as a relief to the community, as residents were concerned about the safety of their neighborhood following these disturbing incidents.

The first incident took place on January 4th, near Molino Avenue and Anaheim Street, when Matthews reportedly assaulted a woman just before 12:30 p.m. The victim was left traumatized after the attack, prompting an immediate investigation by the authorities.

According to police reports, Matthews continued his predatory behavior on January 8th, targeting a teenager in the vicinity of Atlantic Avenue and Broadway. Just minutes later, he approached another woman near Alamitos Avenue and Broadway. While the exact details of these incidents have not been disclosed, sexual battery typically involves non-consensual touching of intimate body parts with a sexual intent.

Thanks to the swift response from the Long Beach Police Department, Matthews was apprehended shortly after the crimes were committed. Officers found him in the 800 block of Third Street and took him into custody. Jail records indicate that Matthews had a previous arrest in 2018 on suspicion of domestic battery.

Currently, Matthews remains incarcerated while awaiting a bail review by a judge. The judicial process will determine the severity of the charges he will face and the extent of his punishment if found guilty.

The authorities are urging anyone with additional information or who may have been a victim of Matthews’ crimes to come forward. Detectives assigned to the case can be reached at 562-570-7354. It is crucial to assist the investigation in identifying any further victims and ensuring justice is served.