Man accused of attracting young girl into old ambulance, offers to help find her missing dog
A San Bernardino man was arrested Wednesday for allegedly harassing, allegedly an animal control officer in a white “ambulance-style” van to attract a young girl to search for the missing dog in his van.
A San Bernardino County Sheriff’s deputies responded to reports of the Highland kidnapping around 8:49 p.m. Tuesday, an 11-year-old girl briefly disappeared and returned home that night, according to a press release. Earlier that day, the girl was searching for a missing dog near San Francisco and 14th Street, when Guillermo Cascante, a 57-year-old San Bernardino resident, allegedly approached her in an elderly ambulance-style white van and risked animal control officials to lure her into her vehicle.
Guillermo Cascante, driving an older white ambulance-style van, was allegedly searching for missing dogs near San Francisco and 14th Streets while searching for the 11-year-old victim.
(San Bernardino Sheriff’s Department and Highland Police Department)
Once inside the car, Cascante allegedly threatened the girl with a pistol and continued to harass her while he was driving around the city, deputies said. According to the press release, Cascanter stopped the vehicle, threw the girl from Cunningham and the girl near 9th Street and fled the scene.
Authorities said deputies conducted a regional search and found a vehicle that matched the victim’s description, which was parked near the Cascante home on 18th and Guthrie Street.
Deputies issued a search warrant for Cascante’s house on Wednesday and arrested the warrant, deputies said. Cascanter was booked for alleged kidnapping, lewd performing with children under the age of 14 and performing with children by force or fear.
Detectives said they believe there may be other victims and plan to release photos of Cascanter and his vehicle to the public. Individuals who may be victimized by Cascanter or have information about this incident contact the Highland Sheriff Station (909) 425-9793 or contact the Anonymous Tips Line at 1-800-782-7463.
