SANTA ANA, Ca. (Nov. 17, 2023): Orange County Sheriff’s Department investigators have arrested one man on suspicion of robbing a massage business of $2,000 and sexual assault.
At 3:44 p.m. on Nov. 15, deputies were dispatched to the 12000 block of Beach Blvd. regarding a report of a robbery involving a handgun. On arrival, the deputies canvased the area in search of the suspect to no avail. Investigations learned that the suspect had stolen $2,000 in cash, forced the victims into a private room of the massage parlor, and mandated they orally copulate him while he held them at gunpoint.
Investigations diligently pursued numerous leads which led to the arrest of the identified suspect, Thomas Avery Hillman, Jr., 44, of Paramount (photo below). Hillman surrendered at his home residence during the service of a search warrant; the weapon was not found. Hillman was taken into custody and booked on the suspicion of robbery, assault with a firearm, kidnapping, false imprisonment, and oral copulation with force/violence.
Due to items found during the search of Hillman’s residence and vehicle, it appears he may be responsible for more crimes related to other massage parlors.
This investigation is ongoing. If anyone has been victimized in a similar manner, or knows additional details that may assist investigators, they are asked to contact the Orange County Sheriff’s Department at 714-647-4006. Anonymous information may be provided through Orange County Crime Stoppers at 1-855-TIP-OCCS.
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