Auburn, Ala. - On Sept.12, 2024, Auburn Police arrested 49-year-old Israel Aracen Blancurte, of Columbus, GA, charging him with sexual abuse first degree and kidnapping first degree. The arrest comes after a police investigation into an allegation that a man, later determined to be Blancurte, offered a ride to a woman he encountered in downtown Auburn on Sept. 6. The woman stated that he drove her to a secluded location near E Samford Avenue and touched her in a sexual manner. The woman fled from the vehicle on foot before filing a police report with the Auburn Police Department.

Blancurte was developed as a suspect and located by Police on Sept. 12. After further investigation, Blancurte was arrested and is currently being held without bond at the Lee County Jail.

Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to call the Auburn Police at 334-501-3140 or on the tip line at 334-246-1391.

All defendants are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.