On Wednesday, August 07, 2013 at approximately 00:12 am, deputies were dispatched to Moto Mart at 19720 Big Cynthiana Road regarding a suspicious circumstance. The reporter stated a female had parked her van in the lot and went into the bathroom which was located outside and started screaming. The reporter went onto further say a male had grabbed her in the bathroom, knocking her to the ground, and tried to keep her inside. The suspect had also pulled a knife on her.
When deputies arrived on scene, the victim was still locked in the restroom however the suspect had fled the scene. The victim received minor abrasions on her knees where the suspect had pushed her down. The victim stated she had pulled into the gas station to use the restroom, which were located on the outside of the building, after being out of town. The victim stated she had seen an older model red car on the parking lot however no one was around.
The victim stated when she walked in and entered the restroom; a white male had been hiding behind the door. The suspect then knocked her to the ground and a struggle ensued. The offender then displayed a knife and would not let her leave. As the struggle continued, the victim grabbed a hold of the suspect’s genitals and twisted real hard. This caused the suspect to fall backward and allowed the victim to escape his grasp and lock herself inside the bathroom until help arrived.
Once management arrived at the store, deputies were able to review the surveillance video of the assault which confirmed the victim statements. The deputies and the store employees were able to identify the suspect, Charles Robert Rickard, because he was previously employed at the gas station until he was terminated.
With the assistance of Gibson County law enforcement officials, deputies were able to locate Rickard at his residence in Owensville, Indiana. The vehicle matching the description of the suspect’s vehicle was in the driveway. Inside the residence deputies recovered the articles of clothing the victim described Rickard wearing. Upon questioning Rickard admitted to his actions.
Rickard then showed deputies where he had thrown out the baseball cap he was wearing at the time of the incident. However, deputies were unable to locate the knife used during the assault due to the expansive and vague area Rickard gave them.
Rickard was finally transported to the Vanderburgh County Confinement Center where he was arrested for Intimidation w/ a weapon; Criminal Confinement, & Battery.
