Spelling error hindered arrest in 2012 sex case

A suspect’s name misspelled in a warrant led to a five-year delay in an arrest in a sexual assault case, according to the Broward state attorney’s office.

A woman who worked as a security guard told Davie police in 2012 that her boss sexually battered her at work; DNA evidence led to his arrest, according to police.

But when the warrant was originally issued, suspect Omar Zioui’s name was misspelled as Omar Ziqui and officers apparently could not find him, according to the state attorney’s office.

Zioui’s lawyer, Alex Arreaza, said during bond court Wednesday that his client never left Broward County.

The incident happened at a marina on State Road 84, police said. Zioui, 55, of Plantation, would touch the woman’s face, shoulders and hug her, she told investigators.

While at work on June 2, 2012, the woman told Zioui the touching made her uncomfortable. The next day, while in a security booth at the marina, Zioui again rubbed her shoulders, arms and thighs against her will. As he did so, Zioui told the woman, “I’m going to help you, I will give you more hours,” according to an arrest report.

Zioui led her to a restroom in a garage and sexually battered her, police said. She feared losing her job but also told Zioui “No,” according to the report. After talking with her family, the woman reported the incident to police.

Zioui told a detective that the woman had lied on her job application about being able to swim, and that he was going to fire her. He denied having any sexual contact with her and gave police a swab of his DNA, the report said.

In August 2012, it was found that his sample matched DNA found on the woman’s shoe “with reasonable scientific certainty.”

In November 2012, the misspelled warrant was issued for his arrest. Davie police reports correctly spelled Zioui’s last name.

The state attorney’s office said that as far as staff knew, prosecutors were not made aware of the error or they would have tried to correct it.

During a review of outstanding arrest warrants earlier this year, the misspelling was found. Zioui could not be arrested under the incorrect name, a spokesman for the prosecutor said, so the warrant was re-filed June 14 with the correct name, Omar Zioui, aka Omar Ziqui.

Zioui was arrested Tuesday. He was freed on $5,000 bond. Zioui’s lawyer could not be reached for comment.

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