One Year Ago Today (September 26, 2022)…Police are seeking the public’s assistance in identifying potential additional victims of a 37-year-old ride-share driver suspected of sexually assaulting a 13-year-old boy in Van Nuys.
The incident occurred on August 13, when the victim was walking home near Van Nuys Elementary School in the area of Gilmore Street and Sylmar Avenue. The suspect, Jonh Erik Bastidas Arenas, driving a 2021 White Toyota Prius, approached the boy and allegedly brandished a knife, forcing him into the car through the passenger door.
“Due to fear, the victim complied with the suspect’s demand,” stated the Los Angeles Police Department. “While inside the vehicle, the suspect sexually assaulted the victim.”
Fortunately, the boy was able to escape from the vehicle on foot and immediately reported the assault to the authorities. After reviewing surveillance footage from the area, investigators identified Arenas as the primary suspect, and the victim positively identified him as the perpetrator.
Arenas was apprehended and booked into the LAPD Van Nuys Community Police Station jail on Thursday. Further investigation revealed that Arenas had been working as a contract driver for various ride-share services since September 2021.
Anyone with information regarding possible additional assaults committed by Arenas is urged to contact the LAPD Juvenile Division detectives at 818-374-5415. For calls made outside of business hours or on weekends, please dial 877-527-3247.
Anonymous tips can be provided to Crime Stoppers by calling 800-222-8477 or submitted online at lacrimestoppers.org.
Denial of responsibility! Vigour Times is an automatic aggregator of Global media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, and all materials to their authors. For any complaint, please reach us at – [email protected]. We will take necessary action within 24 hours.
