A 29-year-old Long Beach man was arrested after a missing teenager was found in a motel, where they allegedly met for inappropriate reasons. In a collaborative effort, detectives of the Long Beach Police Department (LBPD) followed up on leads to locate the 17-year-old girl, reported missing since March 4. The breakthrough culminated on April 4 when law enforcement discovered the teen in the company of Joshua Stephen Brown at a motel on the 4000 block of Long Beach Boulevard.
According to a report by KTLA, the girl's disappearance led her family to contact authorities in early March, concerned for her welfare. Despite the complexity of such cases, LBPD's Special Investigations detectives managed to track the missing teen's location, leading to the rescue and subsequent arrest of Brown. Long Beach Police Chief Wally Hebeish lauded the outcome, stating, "This case is a testament to the relentless work and dedication of our detectives and officers," pointing to their role in the successful resolution of the case.
Brown now faces charges for arranging a meeting with a minor for lewd purposes and is currently held at Long Beach City Jail. While the investigation continues, police encourage anyone with additional information to step forward. Based on the press release issued by the LBPD and accessible via the City of Long Beach website, the department believes community tips can serve as a crucial component of their investigative work.
Long Beach authorities are asking for the public's assistance, urging witnesses or individuals with knowledge about the incident to contact the LBPD Drug Investigations Section at 562-570-7125. For those wishing to provide information anonymously, options include online submissions or calling 1-800-222-8477 through "LA Crime Stoppers." Hebeish emphasized the essential nature of continued public engagement, stating, "Their efforts led to the safe recovery of a missing teenager and the arrest of the suspect. I commend them for their exceptional police work and unwavering commitment to public safety."
