Gaspar Perez-Bartolo

A man arrested earlier this month for breaking into a residence and attempting to rape a 12-year-old girl was re-arrested on new rape charges this past week, authorities said.

Gaspar Perez-Bartolo, 26, 402 Sockwell Ave., Apt. 1, Russellville, was charged with three counts of first-degree rape, Russellville Police Chief Chris Hargett said.

According to Hargett, the new charges were filed after a 12-year-old female victim came forward on Jan. 21 to report the three separate incidents.

RPD investigator Lt. Scotty Lowery said the rapes allegedly occurred between Halloween and Christmas this past year.

Perez-Bartolo was still in custody at the Franklin County Jail on charges of second-degree burglary and attempted first-degree rape that stemmed from an incident that occurred during the early morning hours of Jan. 10.

Hargett said Perez-Bartolo was accused of breaking into a residence in the 300 block of Tuscaloosa Street in Russellville about 12:30 a.m. on Jan. 10.

Lowery said the suspect made entry into the home through a window that led into a 12-year-old female’s room.

Once inside the room, Lowery said the suspect reportedly locked the bedroom door, held the girl down, covered her mouth and demanded she undress.

Lowery said the mother of the child heard the commotion inside the room and began beating on the door, which caused the suspect to flee the residence through the same window he entered.

Police were unable to locate Perez-Bartolo until a call came in at 5 p.m. that same day stating a vehicle matching the description of Perez-Bartolo’s car had been spotted at Sloss Lake in Russellville.

Lowery said officers were able to locate Perez-Bartolo inside the vehicle and took him into custody without incident.

Perez-Bartolo remains in custody at the Franklin County Jail on a $350,000 bond.