Accused rapist may have fled country

A Carson City judge issued a $100,000 bench warrant Friday for a man accused of sexually assaulting a 14-year-old neighbor girl.

Fidel Arreguin-Perez, 18, of Carson City, failed to appear for a preliminary hearing before Justice John Tatro on charges of attempted sexual assault and battery with intent to commit sexual assault.

He was arrested Aug. 26 after the girl said she was accosted in her home.

According to police reports, the girl was playing with Arreguin-Perez's nephew around 3:30 p.m. when he entered the home through the garage.

Police said Arreguin-Perez then took both children into the bathroom of the home, where he attempted to molest the girl.

When a neighbor knocked on the front door, both Arreguin-Perez and the boy ran out the back, police reported.

The neighbor gave chase, eventually catching both.

Arreguin-Perez is from Mexico and authorities said they believe he may have left the country.

Relatives said they haven't seen him recently and he sold his vehicle shortly before they last saw him. He hasn't picked up his last two paychecks from his workplace.

Arreguin-Perez is described as 5 feet 1 inch tall, weighing 170 pounds. He has been known to shave his head completely or have short hair. He has black hair, brown eyes and sometimes wears a moustache.

Anyone with information regarding Arreguin-Perez's whereabouts is asked to call the Carson City Sheriff's Department at 887-2020, ext. 1402.