A Southern California man, Guillermo Cascante, 57, has been arrested in connection with the kidnapping and molestation of an 11-year-old girl, as reported by KTLA. The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department indicated that the girl was searching for her lost dog in Highland when Cascante, driving what appeared to be an old ambulance, falsely presented himself as an Animal Control worker and offered to help her in her search.
According to CBS Los Angeles, after the girl entered the vehicle, Cascante allegedly produced a handgun and proceeded to drive around the city, during which he is accused of molesting her before eventually leaving her near Cunningham and 9th streets in Highland. Deputies conducted an area check and located Cascante’s van, leading to his arrest after serving a search warrant at a home in the 2000 block of East 18th Street.
Cascante currently faces charges of kidnapping, lewd and lascivious acts with a child under 14, and lewd and lascivious acts with a child with force and fear, and is being held without bail at the West Valley Detention Center. The SBSD Highland Police Department has released photos of Cascante and his van, believing that there may be additional victims of his criminal acts. Anyone with information on the case is encouraged to contact the Highland Sheriff’s Station at 909-425-9793.
In sharing further details of the case, the SBSD Highland Police Department revealed Detective J. Hernandez as the referential contact, suggesting those who wish to provide anonymous tips can reach out to the We-Tip Hotline at 1-800-78-CRIME (27463) or leave information on their website.
