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Police arrest man on suspicion of molesting child

By ERIC LINDBERG — Feb. 4, 2010

Santa Barbara police arrested a 60-year-old street vendor on suspicion of molesting a young girl on Sunday after the victim’s mother witnessed him touching her daughter inappropriately, authorities confirmed today.

At 1:30 p.m., officers were dispatched to a possible sexual assault investigation at a home in the 600 block of W. Sola Street. Police spoke with a 5-year-old girl and her parents, and learned a man who sold fruit and vegetables out of a pushcart on the Westside allegedly had molested the girl.

Officers searched the neighborhood and located the suspect, identified as Silvano Rodelas Rojas, of Los Angeles, in the 500 block of W. Victoria Street. Further investigation revealed Rojas frequently traveled to Santa Barbara to sell produce, and was a familiar figure throughout the Westside neighborhood.

“The investigation determined that the girl’s father was friendly to Rojas and had spoken with him on many occasions,” Lt. Paul McCaffrey said in an email. “On this date, Rojas went to their residence, and encountered the girl while the father was inside the residence.  Rojas lured the girl to a secluded area in the apartment parking lot, and touched her in inappropriate ways.”

The victim’s mother, on her way home from an errand, witnessed the alleged molestation, authorities said. The suspect reportedly fled the scene as the victim’s parents called authorities.

“When arrested, Rojas had items in his possession that detectives believe were used to lure the victim to the parking lot,” McCaffrey said.

Rojas was booked into county jail on suspicion of child molestation. Authorities are looking into the possibility that additional incidents occurred, as the suspect frequented neighborhoods where children live. Anyone with additional information is asked to contact Det. Jose LaTorre at 897-2335.

Comment on this article

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Liberals think gays can't change but child moletster can? : 2/4/2010

Swell. Another child's innocence taken away by a scumbag who has likely done this (many times?) before.
Lock them up and throw away the key -or- off with their heads, I don't care, but enough already!

S.B.Native


Another White Criminal! : 2/4/2010

Just kidding - a perve is a perve.

Martian Man


: 2/4/2010

Why is anyone liberal-bashing? This article isn't about liberals, and comments shouldn't be about stereotyping.


: 2/4/2010

I think I'd kill myself before I'd rent on the West Side. Or the East Side. Or Old Town. Wow. That's not much of Santa Barbara left to safely live in.

Renter and Parent


INS : 2/4/2010

We need a Border Patrol / ICE Station on the corner of San Andreas and Carrillo with a deportation bus at the county jail.


KKK dont change : 2/4/2010

We need an other bus to take away from this world the hater like d fake INS guy. losers

MM


another green criminal : 2/5/2010

You are all missing the point, he was a vegetable dealer folks,VEGETABLE!!!

ladino activist


: 2/6/2010

A "Proud SB home owner" wants me to kill myself or get the hell out of SB? This is because I'm not as affluent and can't afford to buy like they can? Why is this a reason to despise people? What's this poster's particular brand of mental illness/insecurity where being a homeowner makes them hate other people? Bet they didn't buy their house solely on their own. Bet they couldn't have.


Hey Renter.... : 2/6/2010

Yup, I not only do I have one, but I am a proud owner of two homes in SB. It's called working hard and being smart. I did it all on my own sweety. The point is, if your going to b!tch about SB and the beautifully diverse residents, then move out. Seriously, what have you done to better this community? I don't hate renters, I just don't tolorate ignorance...

Proud SB owner and lovin' it...ciao baby


: 2/6/2010

I might be the nurse (renter) that saves your life one day. And I've seen enough in the ER to make me aware of the dangers in certain parts of town. If you're a homeowner in those parts of town, pardon me. What have you done to better this community? I have the right to state my opinion without a personal attack.


Renter...nurse ratchet.. : 2/6/2010

Please give me a break...please...you of all people should know that anything can happen anywhere! No one is 100% safe even in the safest part of SB. I take offense that you criticize certain parts of SB. You can live in the most exclusive part of town, but you have no idea what your neighbors's skeletons are. Many people have dark secrets..even Florence Nightengale nurses have issues....hmmm drug diversion.

Proud SB home owner and parent for that matter


: 2/6/2010

Call the local P.D. and Sheriff's if you want stats on where the crime is. Did you forget that big protest march on the West Side last year that was calling for an end to the neighborhood violence? Pretending everything is ok might work for you. Pretending/denial doesn't help the community. "Have a nice day!"


Molester in Montecito last month : 2/8/2010

What about the child molester in Montecito about a month or two ago.... It can happen any rich or poor community.


Montecito Man : 2/8/2010

Montecito Man Arrested for Child Molestation
Relative Tips Sheriff to Suspected Abuse
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thursday, December 3, 2009
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[From Sheriff's Department press report]: On Monday, November 30, 2009, a relative of the victims contacted the Sheriff's Department to report the suspected abuse of two pre-teen sisters.
On Wednesday morning, December 2, 2009, detectives arrested 58-year-old Jeffrey Quenton Johnson at his home on West Mountain Drive without incident.
Based on their investigation, detectives suspect the sexual abuse has been ongoing for the past three years.
Johnson was booked into the Santa Barbara County Jail on three felony charges related to child sexual abuse and bail was set at $500,000.
Detectives are asking for anyone who may also be a victim, or knows someone who was a victim, to contact the Sheriff's Department at (805) 681-5405 ext. 421 or the Sheriff's Anonymous Tip Line at (805) 681-4171.
No further information is being released due to the age of the victims.


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