Full Notification

Costa Mesa Police Detective personnel are investigating information received regarding incidents of sexual battery, which occurred in the south area of the city, including Heller Park in the 200 block of E. 16th Street.

Last week, Costa Mesa Police received information via social media regarding a person of concern frequenting Heller Park. The information described a male subject, apparently transient, frequenting the park and approaching individual women and/or groups of women (mothers and nannies) along with children. The subject was reported to engage in unsolicited conversation, described as inappropriate, asking questions and attempting to place his hand on the back of the women or children.

On July 21, officers had responded to the park where they contacted and identified the subject as Mark Marroquin. A woman had contacted the police reporting a male transient had approached her, asking questions and making her feel uncomfortable. The reporting woman had apparently already left the park when officers arrived and was not contacted. Based upon the contact on that time, Marroquin was requested to leave the park and ultimately complied. On July 22, an officer again responded to Heller Park when female caller had reported the subject that had previously been told by police to leave was back at the park. Although indicated that the subject was not approaching anyone at the time, the caller felt his activity was suspicious and had heard that this subject had been bothering children in the past at the park. Marroquin again agreed to leave when requested by officers.

Marroquin was known to Costa Mesa Police from having previously been arrested on May 4, 2014, for suspicion of child annoyance and sexual battery. In that incident, a 14-year-old female had called the police reporting that a male (identified as Marroquin) had attempted to touch her and her friend inappropriately while they were walking in the area of W. 18th Street, Wallace Avenue and Shalimar Drive. The girls reported to officers that Marroquin was riding a bike continually past them, verbally harassing them. At one point Marroquin allegedly reached out and grabbed the buttocks of one girl. Officers ultimately located and arrested Marroquin. As a result of that arrest and court actions, Marroquin was subsequently placed on probation. Terms of his probation included that he stay at least 100 yards away from the Shalimar Drive area.

On July 28, an officer observed Marroquin loitering around the 7-11 convenience store and gas station, located at E. 17th Street and Orange Avenue. Plainclothes detective personnel responded to the area and kept Marroquin under observation, following him as he walked from the area. Marroquin ultimately walked to the area of Pomona Avenue, within 100 yards of the Shalimar Drive area in violation of his probation terms. Marroquin was stopped and detained. Detectives contacted the assigned Probation Officer and Marroquin was subsequently arrested for violating his probation.

Mark Marroquin was transported to the Costa Mesa Jail and later transferred and booked into the Orange County Jail. He is being held without bail as part of the probation violation offense.

Costa Mesa Police are conducting additional follow-up investigation with potential victims to determine if charges may be sought for violations of child annoyance, sexual battery or lewd conduct. Marroquin is described as a male, Hispanic, 24 years old, approximately 5’ 7”, 140’, with medium length brown hair and brown eyes. Marroquin is frequently unshaven or with a moderate beard and mustache. He has been reported to sometimes have a hiking type backpack with him, which may have a sleeping bag attached.

Detectives are requesting that anyone that believes they may have been a victim to contact the Costa Mesa Police Department Investigations Bureau at: (714) 754-5205, or

Det. Bang Le at: (714) 754-5361
Sgt. Ed Everett at: (714) 754-5395

Given the ongoing nature of this investigation and potential for additional victims/witnesses to be contacted, no photograph of Marroquin is being released at this time.