Authorities say a California man is behind bars after posing as an animal control officer to lure an 11-year-old girl into his van while she was searching for her lost dog. The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Office announced that 57-year-old Guillermo Cascante has been arrested and charged with kidnapping and committing lewd and lascivious acts on a child through force or fear.
Deputies with the Highland Station responded to a 911 call around 8:49 p.m. on Tuesday, August 19, in the area of San Francisco Street and 14th Street in Highland, about 65 miles east of Los Angeles. A caller reported that an 11-year-old girl had been kidnapped by a man but managed to escape and return home.
“Through investigation, deputies learned the male suspect, Guillermo Cascante, was driving an older white ambulance-style van and approached the victim while she was looking for her missing dog near San Francisco Street and 14th Street,” the sheriff’s department said in a statement. “Cascante pretended to work for Animal Control and offered to help the victim find her dog.”
Authorities said the girl got into the van, at which point Cascante allegedly pulled a handgun and assaulted her while driving around the city. “While in the vehicle, Cascante produced a handgun, drove the victim around the city and molested her,” deputies said. The suspect later stopped near Cunningham Street and 9th Street and let the girl out. She ran home while Cascante fled.
Investigators quickly canvassed the area and located a van matching the description parked on 18th Street, just over a mile away from where the kidnapping occurred. The following day, August 20, detectives served a search warrant at a residence on East 18th Street, where they found Cascante and placed him under arrest.
He is currently being held without bond at the West Valley Detention Center. Detectives released photos of Cascante and his van, saying they believe there may be additional victims. They are urging anyone with information to contact the Highland Sheriff’s Station at (909) 425-9793. Anonymous tips can also be submitted through We-Tip at 1-800-782-7463 or online at wetip.com.
The shocking case has rattled the Highland community, with investigators crediting the young victim’s quick thinking and courage for escaping a terrifying ordeal.