A San Bernardino man was arrested on suspicion of molestation on Wednesday after he allegedly posed as an animal control officer in a white “ambulance-style” van to lure a young girl searching for her missing dog into his van, authorities said.
At about 8:49 p.m. on Tuesday, San Bernardino County sheriff’s deputies responded to reports of a kidnapping in Highland after an 11-year-old girl briefly went missing and returned home in the evening, according to a press release. Earlier that day, the girl was searching for her missing dog near San Francisco and 14th Street when Guillermo Cascante, a 57-year-old San Bernardino resident, allegedly approached her in an older, ambulance-style white van and posed as an animal control officer to lure her into his vehicle, according to the release.
Deputies said that once inside the vehicle, Cascante allegedly used a handgun to threaten the girl and proceeded to molest her as he drove around the city. Cascante then stopped the vehicle, dropped the girl off near Cunningham and 9th Street and fled the scene, according to the press release.
Deputies conducted an area search and located the vehicle matching the victim’s description parked near Cascante’s home on 18th and Guthrie Street, authorities said.
On Wednesday, deputies issued a search warrant for Cascante’s home and made the arrest, deputies said. Cascante was booked on suspicion of kidnapping, lewd acts with a child under 14 and lewd acts with a child using force or fear.
Detectives said they believe other victims may exist and plan to release photos of Cascante and his vehicle to the public. Individuals who may have been victimized by Cascante or have information regarding the incident are asked to contact the Highland Sheriff’s Station (909) 425-9793 or at the anonymous tip line at 1-800-782-7463.
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