On July 6, in the early morning hours, the Mamou Police Department received information concerning an alleged rape that had taken place earlier within the Town of Mamou.

Upon arrival, officers spoke with the 18-year-old female victim, and learned earlier in the night she had been riding around with friends in town, and within this group of individuals was Tyler Santos Contreras, who was also inside the vehicle.

Detective Todd Ortis said during the course and scope of the investigation, officers discovered that after riding around for an extended period of time, all parties decided to go home to their residences. The victim in this investigation did in fact get taken to her residence. Also at this time, Ortis said, she was completely unaware Contreras also departed the vehicle at her residence.

According to Ortis, the victim began making her way toward the door of the residence when she was allegedly confronted by Contreras. Ortis said the victim reported he threatened her and told her not to scream or call out for help, or she would be harmed. She was ordered into an alleyway in the rear of her residence, where Contreras allegedly ordered her to disrobe. Ortis stated he then sexually assaulted the victim.

At one point during the assault, the victim seized an opportunity and escaped her attacker and ran inside her residence, where she reported to her family the assault that had just occurred.

Officers receiving this information conducted an extensive search of the area; however, Contreras was not located. Evidence of the assault was located by investigating officers in the area the victim claimed the incident had taken place.

Without locating the suspect, the search concluded and an arrest warrant was obtained for Contreras’ arrest on charges of “forcible rape.”

Later in the same day, investigating officers learned of Contreras’ location, outside of the limits of Mamou. The Evangeline Parish Sheriff’s Department was notified and assisted the Mamou Police in the execution of the arrest warrant.

Contreras surrendered and was taken into custody without incident. He was transported to the Evangeline Parish Jail facility where he was booked on Charges of “forcible rape.”

Bond was set at $150,000.