Criminal Corner
Victim was roofied and raped, cops say
Manatee Herald Staff Report
A 39-year-old Bradenton man was arrested Oct. 5 after DNA evidence showed he was the one that sexually assaulted a woman in May.
According to the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office, Mark Cubilete was already in custody on other charges relating to the same victim, to include battery, false imprisonment and violation of a domestic related injunction, which occurred while the sexual assault investigation was ongoing.
According to the arrest report, Cubilete was with the victim on May 22 celebrating the victim’s birthday. The two were drinking alcohol, at which time Cubilete gave her an unknown powder.
Deputies say the victim woke up the next day with a nude Cubilete lying next to her. The two were not, or had they been in a romantic relationship and the victim told deputies she knew she had been sexually assaulted.
A sexual assault exam confirmed it and Cubilete’s DNA was eventually discovered. Besides the existing charges, Cubilete was additionally charged with sexual battery.
He remains in custody on bonds totaling $105,000.
Victim loses an ear in vicious assault
A 42-year-old Palmetto man was arrested Oct. 4 just after 1 p.m. on an arrest warrant relating to a vicious attack of a female on Sept. 10 at a local Days Inn, according to the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies say Elliot Waiters showed up at the motel where his ex was staying. While they were discussing family issues, there was a knock on the door and Waiters opened it.
According to the arrest warrant, Marquita Robertson, who is dating Waiters, entered the room and began to attack the victim.
Deputies say Waiters held the victim down while Robertson beat her with fists and an iron. At some point during the attack, the warrant states Robertson bit off the victim’s left ear.
Waiters was already in custody at the time of the warrant. Robertson was arrested and both were charged with aggravated battery causing disfigurement.
Crossbow attack
A 31-year-old Palmetto man assaulted a female and threatened to kill her with a crossbow on Sept. 30 just after 8 p.m., according to the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies say Evan Tombaugh shoved the female against a wall, placed a “cocked crossbow with a bolt in it,” against her back and said he was going to kill her.
An argument continued, and Tombaugh did it a second time, saying this would be, “the first time a Tombaugh will ever get the death penalty,” according to the arrest report.
The victim was able to flee from the home, but saw Tombaugh in pursuit. She managed to get into a nearby store where law enforcement was called.
Tombaugh was booked into the Manatee County jail on charges of battery and aggravated assault. He was released the following day after posting bonds totaling $6,500.
Drunk driver hits a firetruck, child was in the car
A 56-year-old Palmetto woman is charged with DUI and child neglect and after crashing into a firetruck in the 5700 block of 15th Street East at 11 p.m. on Oct. 3.
Deputies say Patricia Dunbar did not even realize she had been in an accident when approached by law enforcement. Deputies observed her to be uninjured but incoherent.
Another deputy had witnessed the accident and observed Dunbar to be passed out at the wheel while it was rolling down the road, eventually crashing into the firetruck, which was on scene for an unrelated call.
Upon impact, the deputy was able to remove Dunbar from the vehicle, at which time he noticed a 4-year-old child in the backseat.
