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Police: Auburn Woman Robbed, Sexually Assaulted Near Busy Shopping Center

AUBURN (CBS13) — Police have made an arrest after an Auburn woman says she was sexually assaulted and robbed near a busy shopping center.

The alleged incident happened behind Save Mart grocery store near Auburn Ravine Road and Elm Avenue around 930 p.m. on Tuesday.

Auburn police arrested 55-year-old Robbie Odom of Colfax who calls himself "the preacher." Odom was booked at the Placer County Jail. This isn't the first time the suspect has been arrested on some very serious charges.

"That's pretty disturbing to me," says Auburn resident Gabriel Miller.

"It's very troubling, especially an older person," says Jay Leclaire.

Some people in the busy shopping area say it's a typically safe place.

"I've been here all hours of the night, never seen anything like that happen before," says Kathy Todd.

Police say the alleged sex assault and robbery didn't happen right in front of the Save Mart, but apparently the victim was waiting for a ride on a bus bench around the side of the building when she was approached by the suspect. It's unknown what was said in the conversation or how she was lured to the back of the store, but at some point the victim followed the suspect around to the loading dock and around back where the alleged attack took place.

"It started off as a robbery where he forcibly took some of her personal property, including cash. Then it escalated to a Sex assault," says Lt Victor Pecoraro with the Auburn police department.

Just a few hours before the sex assault, the suspect allegedly approached a high school student standing outside the Save Mart.

"He was just asking me if I was a minor, if I'm underage, and I said yes, I am a minor," says Coleen Francis.

Francis was promoting an event at her school went Odom walked up to her making references to his nickname.

"He called himself the preacher he said it multiple times, over and over again, I asked him what it means but he never answered my question, I recall him wearing a cross on his neck," says Francis.

Shortly after the attack, police were able to make an arrest as the victim apparently spotted him.

"As they were getting ready to come to police station, she sees the main suspect and goes hey that's the person!" says police.

Odom has had previous contact with police. In 2015 the suspect was charged with two counts of kidnapping, false imprisonment and battery. In 2013 he was arrested for inappropriate photos of children. The Placer County DAs office is investigating. Meanwhile the suspect remains locked up on $960,000 bail.

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