Bay City News
An East Palo Alto man was arrested Wednesday on suspicion of sexually assaulting a child inside a car multiple times over three years, authorities said.
José Alejandro Ventura, 54, was detained by detectives from the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office.
Authorities began investigating Ventura earlier this month after a report of assault on a minor, noting that the alleged assaults took place in a car at different locations in San Mateo County from January 2015 to January 2018.
Ventura allegedly locked the doors of the vehicle so the victim couldn't escape, according to a statement from the sheriff's office.
The suspect was arrested in East Palo Alto and booked into the Maguire Correctional Center on suspicion of lewd acts with a child under the age of 14 and kidnapping with the intent to commit a lewd act.
Before the events, authorities asked anyone with information about the alleged attacks to contact Detective C. Barker at (650) 363-4050, cbarker@smcgov.org; or Detective R. Cousenes at (650) 363-4066, rcousenes@smcgov.org.
In addition, they pointed out that anonymous clues can be left at the number 1-800-547-2700.
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