VIDALIA — A Vidalia restaurant owner has been arrested and charged with the alleged inappropriate touching and biting of restaurant patrons.

Jesus Martinez, 46, was arrested by the Vidalia Police Department on charges of two counts sexual battery and one count of simple battery after a more than week long investigation of the incident.

VPD Public Information Officer Capt. Miranda Clifton said a complaint of sexual battery was reported against Martinez, the owner of El Ranchero Restaurant, April 17.

The complainants told investigators they were patrons at the restaurant when Martinez allegedly touched them in an inappropriate manner.

The complainants alleged he had also bitten one of them during the incident, Clifton said.

Investigators spoke with several people who were at the restaurant at the time of the alleged incident and obtained warrants for his arrest. Martinez was arrested without incident Friday after officers saw him at the restaurant, Clifton said.

Martinez was booked into the Concordia Parish Sheriff’ Office jail and District 7 Judge John Reeves Reeves set a $10,000 bond for him.

Martinez was released on bond later that day.