Pembroke Pines, FL - An alleged serial sex offender was arrested in South Florida after committing a series of disturbing acts, including exposing his genitalia and engaging in masturbation in front of a minor.
Pembroke Pines Police arrested 59-year-old James William Santiago-Orengo following a string of alarming incidents involving sex crimes in various locations throughout South Florida.
The arrest came after Santiago-Orengo allegedly exposed his genitalia and engaged in masturbation in front of a minor at Barnes & Noble on April 28th, then committed a similar act in the presence of a senior citizen who was praying at Saint Boniface Catholic Church in Davie on April 29th.
In both instances, Santiago-Orengo managed to escape before the arrival of law enforcement.
Utilizing video evidence and leads, the Pembroke Pines Police Department's Forensic Services Unit and the Crime Analysis Unit identified Santiago-Orengo, who was revealed to be a registered sexual offender that had fled Orange County in November of 2017, prompting an informational bulletin to be shared among neighboring law enforcement agencies.
On May 19th, police responded to a call reporting indecent behavior, as Santiago-Orengo was observed masturbating and peering into a home window in the Saint Boniface Gardens community in Pembroke Pines.
Detectives confirmed that Santiago-Orengo returned to Saint Boniface Church on May 24th, where he was immediately recognized by employees who had been briefed on his previous visits by detectives.
After reviewing video surveillance, law enforcement identified Santiago-Orengo from prior incidents and located him in the rear parking lot of a nearby shopping plaza.
Santiago-Orengo was arrested and transported to Broward County Main Jail on charges of exposure of sexual organs, providing false identity information to law enforcement, possession of personal identification information, possession of a fraudulent driver's license, active warrants from Orange County for possession of a fraudulent driver's license and failure to register as a sexual offender, as well as a warrant from Seminole County for exposure of sexual organs.
The Pembroke Pines Police Department, in partnership with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, expects that state investigators will bring forth additional felony charges related to Santiago-Orengo's status as a sexual offender and failure to register.
Authorities are urging anyone who may have been victimized by Santiago-Orengo to contact the Pembroke Pines Police Department at 954-431-2200.