Bernardo "Bennie" Sanchez, 50, was arrested this week after sheriff’s deputies say he tried to lure two children, ages 8 and 10, to a remote property on March 2. Tactical deputies later served a search warrant at Sanchez’s home on Plane Avenue in Woodland and took him into custody, where deputies say they found a handgun and a large quantity of ammunition.
How investigators say the episode unfolded
Authorities say the children refused Sanchez’s advances and immediately told their parents, who then reported the incident to law enforcement. By the time deputies began their investigation, Sanchez had left Woodland for neighboring Solano County, and investigators later identified him as a suspect, according to CBS Sacramento.
Search warrant, evidence and arrest
Yolo County sheriff’s tactical deputies served a search warrant at Sanchez’s Plane Avenue residence on Tuesday and arrested him during that operation. The sheriff’s office also said Sanchez had an active felony warrant out of Solano County and that investigators recovered a handgun and a large amount of ammunition during the search, per The Sacramento Bee.
Charges and prior record
Sanchez was booked into the Yolo County Jail on suspicion of child sexual assault and possession of weapons by a prohibited person, and deputies obtained a public-safety bail enhancement that left him without bail. CBS Sacramento reports Sanchez has a criminal history involving sexual offenses against minors dating back to 2001 and an active Solano County warrant issued about eight years ago. Prosecutors have not yet released formal charging documents in superior court.
Officials ask for other victims or witnesses
Authorities are asking anyone with information, or anyone who believes they may have been victimized, to contact investigators. The sheriff’s office provided Detective Hernan Vega’s contact at 530-668-5280 and [email protected] for tips, per The Sacramento Bee.
Why local law enforcement is focused on repeat offenders
Yolo County law-enforcement agencies have run coordinated compliance checks and electronic searches of registered sex offenders in recent years, operations prosecutors say are intended to reduce repeat offenses. A Yolo County District Attorney press release on "Operation Vigilance" described visits and forensic checks for hundreds of registrants as part of similar multi-agency efforts, underscoring why local agencies treat allegations involving minors seriously, according to the Yolo County District Attorney.
The investigation remains active, and authorities say they will release additional details as the case develops.
