HIGHLAND, Calif. (TCN) — Authorities recently arrested a 57-year-old man on suspicion of posing as animal control and kidnapping a young girl who was looking for her missing dog.
According to the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, on the night of Aug. 19, deputies responded to a possible kidnapping after someone reported that an 11-year-old girl “had been kidnapped, escaped the suspect, and returned home.” Upon further investigation, officials learned Guillermo Cascante allegedly approached the victim in an “older white ambulance-style van” while she was searching for her missing dog.
The sheriff’s department alleges that Cascante posed as a worker for animal control and told the victim he could help her find her dog. The victim reportedly entered the suspect’s van, and Cascante drove off.
Allegedly, Cascante retrieved a gun, drove the victim around, and molested her. He purportedly let the victim out near Cunningham and 9th streets, and the girl ran home.
On Aug. 20, detectives executed a search warrant at a home where Cascante was located and arrested him on charges of kidnapping, lewd and lascivious acts with a child under 14, and lewd and lascivious acts with a child under 14 with force/fear.
Investigators suspect there may be additional victims.
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