WOODCREST: Girl kidnapped, sexually assaulted, after meeting man on social media

WOODCREST – Sheriff’s officials are seeking additional possible victims after they arrested a man they allege kidnapped and sexually assaulted a teenage girl after meeting the juvenile online via social media. Investigators arrested the man Wednesday, May 10, after a girl who lives in the Woodcrest area told her parents about the alleged incident, according to sheriff’s officials.

After investigating the reported incident, investigators from the Riverside County Sheriff’s Perris Station located and arrested Jose Cesar Diaz, 22, of Rubidoux. Online jail records indicated authorities arrested the alleged suspect on Timberview Drive in Woodcrest.

Diaz was later booked at the Southwest Detention Center on suspicion of kidnapping with the intent to commit rape, oral copulation with a child under the age of 14 and sexual assault of a child under the age of 14, Riverside Sheriff’s Sergeant Curt Harris explained in a written press release after the incident and arrest.

Sheriff’s officials began investigating the incident Tuesday, May 9, after the young victim’s parents called 911 to report the allegations.

Perris Station detectives quickly took over the investigation, according to Harris. They successfully recovered and collected evidence from the sexual assault.

Deputies first spoke with the parents of the victim, after “their juvenile daughter informed them she was sexually assaulted by an adult male,” according to Harris, who explained the girl met the alleged suspect through social media.

During their investigation, authorities identified Diaz as the man who allegedly kidnapped and sexually assaulted the minor.

After Diaz’ arrest, sheriff’s officials released a photograph of the man’s vehicle “in the event he and/or his sedan might have been observed in other, unrelated sexual assault incidents,” said Harris.

Harris and the Sheriff’s Department took the opportunity to remind the public regarding the risks children face during times of unsupervised internet access, saying, “We strongly encourage parents to monitor their child’s internet activity to ensure their safety.”

“While these circumstances are tragic, they could have been even worse,” said Harris, who explained, “Our youth do not possess the life experience and maturity necessary to discern the difference between innocent conversation and a child predator’s grooming.”

Anyone with information regarding this investigation is encouraged to contact Master Investigator Tom Salisbury at the Perris Station by calling (951) 210-1000, or by email. Callers can refer to incident file number PC171290051 and can remain anonymous. Citizens may also submit a tip using the Sheriff’s CrimeTips online form.

 

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Trevor Montgomery runs Riverside County News Source and Shasta County News Source. Additionally, he writes for Riverside County based newspapers, Valley News and Anza Valley Outlook and also writes for Bonsall/Fallbrook Village News in San Diego County.

Trevor spent 10 years in the U.S. Army as an Orthopedic Specialist before joining the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department in 1998. He was medically retired after losing his leg and breaking his back in an off-duty accident.

During his time with the sheriff’s department, Trevor worked at several different stations, including Robert Presley Detention Center, Southwest Station in Temecula, Hemet/Valle Vista Station, Ben Clark Public Safety Training Center and Lake Elsinore Station, along with other locations.