Officers on paid detail arrest suspect in alleged sex assault

Wherever he goes in East Boston, police Officer Alberto Santiago hears one question from women: Did you catch him yet?

Yesterday, Santiago and his partner, Joel Rodriguez, arrested an 18-year-old East Boston man who police say they are investigating in connection with a string of unsolved sexual attacks in the neighborhood, including assaults on three women on Sept. 4.

"It's a big concern behind all the residents who live out here in East Boston," said Santiago, a member of the Safe Street Team of officers assigned to Area A-7 in East Boston. "When we are out on patrol, whether it is on bikes or walking, the first thing . . . all the women, say is, 'Did you catch him yet?' "

Carlos Alfredo Bonilla was charged with indecent assault and battery after a woman said she was molested yesterday near where the two officers were working on a paid detail. Police spokeswoman Elaine Driscoll said detectives from the Sexual Assault Unit are investigating whether he is connected with the unsolved attacks, but stressed that no link has been established.

Bonilla was free on bail after being charged June 8 with indecent assault and battery in connection with an alleged sexual assault earlier this year. He was accused of grabbing the buttocks of a 28-year-old Lynn woman while she was on Falcon Street, said Jake Wark, a spokesman for Suffolk District Attorney Daniel F. Conley.

Santiago and Rodriguez were working a paid detail near the intersection of Condor and Brooks streets yesterday when they heard the description of a sexual assault suspect broadcast over their radios. The alleged victim had told police a man came up behind her about 9 a.m. and grabbed and groped her before she managed to break free.

The two officers started searching the area, including East Boston High School, for the suspect. They found nothing and were back at the detail site when they say Bonilla showed up riding a bike.

Bonilla's clothes seemed askew, Santiago said. He wore a large diamond earring in his left ear, and his bookbag was marked with the letters RW, two details provided by the victim.

Bonilla, who was wearing a white shirt, allowed the officers to look into his bag, where they found a black shirt like the one the victim said her assailant wore, police said.

The victim later identified Bonilla as her attacker, police said.

Bonilla pleaded not guilty yesterday afternoon in East Boston Municipal Court to one count of indecent assault and battery, Wark said.

Bail was set at $20,000 cash, but Bonilla was ordered held without bail in the June case, Wark said.

"It feels good," Santiago said. "It feels like it's making a difference in the community, especially where I am working on a detail. I feel good about it.

John Ellement can be reached at ellement@globe.com.