Surveillance footage and a debit card purchase lead to the arrest of a man who sexually assaulted a teenager who had run away.
Gilbert police report that on September 22, a girl left home after an argument with her mother.
Police say she had walked about eight miles on the way to her boyfriend’s home when she stopped at a convenience store.
After buying some alcohol, police say, 48-year-old Donald Carl Trent offered the girl a ride. Instead of taking the girl to her boyfriend’s home, he took her to his home near Ray and Higley Roads. There, Trent allegedly sexually assaulted the girl at gunpoint, before dropping her off near her boyfriend's house.
After police were contacted, they reviewed surveillance footage from the convenience store and identified Trent as the suspect. Police identified Trent through his debit card receipt as well.
Trent was located by police nine days later and was arrested for kidnapping, aggravated assault and sexual conduct with a minor.
