Deputies arrested a Santa Clarita man Monday for sexual battery and petty theft after he allegedly slapped a store employee on the rear end and stole beer, officials said.

On Monday around 1:30 p.m., deputies responded to a store on the 19260 block of Soledad Canyon Road in Canyon Country for a battery report, said Shirley Miller, a spokesperson for the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station.

“The suspect allegedly walked towards an employee female adult and asked for help finding an item,” Miller said. “After the victim showed the suspect where the item was, the suspect walked up behind her and slapped the side of her buttocks with an open hand.”

The suspect then reportedly took a bottle of beer from the store and left without paying, Miller added.

Ruben Martinez, 34, of Canyon Country, was arrested and charged with sexual battery and petty theft, both misdemeanors, according to officials.

Martinez was arrested and transported to the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station jail, with bail set at $21,000, according to arrest records.

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