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OGDEN – A man is in custody after police say he sexually abused a woman who cut his hair at an Ogden barbershop.
A barbershop hairstylist told officers that Benjamin Zavala, 43, came into the barbershop she worked at in Ogden on Saturday, according to a probable cause statement. Zavala made casual conversation as he was getting his haircut before the conversation took an inappropriate turn after the woman's two coworkers left for lunch, leaving the woman alone with Zavala, according to police.
After Zavala made several inappropriate comments to the woman and asked her personal questions about past relationships, she felt uncomfortable and told him the haircut was over. Police say Zavala gave her cash and when she went to get his change he pushed her against the wall.
"The victim then stated the suspect stated she was asking for it by not wearing a bra as well as being divorced," read the police statement. "The suspect then stated to the victim 'let's go in the back and have sex.'"
Zavala inappropriately touched the woman with both hands, according to police. The woman was able to free herself and punched Zavala in the face, causing him to back away and apologize. She then grabbed nearby scissors and chased him out of the store, calling police shortly after.
Ogden police officers detained Zavala nearby. He was booked into the Weber County Jail for investigation of object rape, a first-degree felony; and forceable sexual abuse, a second-degree felony.
