Dallas police say a man believed to have offered women free massages as a ruse before sexually assaulting them in his Preston Oaks "studio" has fled the country for Brazil.
Richard Boria Perez, 31, is suspected in at least two connected sexual assault offenses, police said Monday.
During an afternoon news conference, Sgt. Gil Garza with the Dallas Police Department said Perez is from Peru and speaks limited English but was very persistent about offering his free massage to his victims.
One woman told police she met Perez at the Salon Boutique Academy in Dallas where they were both students.
According to court documents obtained by our media partners at The Dallas Morning News, the woman said Perez asked if she would be willing to allow him to practice his massage techniques on her for an upcoming exam.
She told police that students often help each other, so she agreed and followed him to his apartment on the 5700 block of Preston Oaks Road, which he claimed was a studio.
She claims the massage turned into a sexual assault that she reported to authorities.
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Another victim told NBC 5 she had met Perez at the apartment complex where they both lived and he often offered her free massages.
She said in early July, he followed her into her apartment, locked the door behind him and forcibly undressed her. She said he then stopped when her phone rang and she threatened that help would arrive any minute.
Monday Garza said police believe Perez has left the country and is believed to be in Brazil. Garza added that the Dallas Police Department will do everything they can to have Perez taken into custody and returned to Dallas.
Anyone with information on the alleged crimes or Perez's current whereabouts is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 214-373-8477. Information that leads to an arrest and indictment could earn a reward up to $5,000.