A registered sex offender was arrested for allegedly raping a 16-year-old girl in San Bernardino County.
The suspect was identified as Ardy Vance Thompson, 50, of Victorville, according to the Victor Valley Sheriff’s Department.
On June 24, the girl was picked up by Thompson who allegedly gave her marijuana before driving her to a deserted area west of National Trails Highway in the unincorporated area of Oro Grande, deputies said.
While parked there, Thompson is accused of sexually assaulting the girl. It’s unclear how the two initially met, but authorities said Thompson was not known to the victim before the incident.
With the help of surveillance video, Thompson was later identified as the suspect and arrested for rape on June 28. He was transported to the West Valley Detention Center where he is being held on a $500,000 bond.
Deputies confirmed that Thompson is currently listed on California’s Megan’s Law website as a “violent sex offender.”
“It is believed there may be other victims of Thompson and investigators are releasing a photo of Thompson and his vehicle,” the sheriff’s department said.
His vehicle is a dark gray 2009 Hyundai Accent two-door hatchback.
Anyone who may have been victimized by Thompson or has information on the case is asked to call Deputy R. Morales at the Victor Valley Station at 760-552-6800 or Sheriff’s Dispatch at 760-956-5001.
Anonymous tips can be provided to We-Tip at 1-800-782-7463 or online at wetip.com.
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