Van Nuth, Los Angeles (KABC) — Police on Monday asked for the public’s help in identifying different potential victims of a 37-year-old rideshare driver allegedly sexually assaulting a 13-year-old child in Van Nuys.
According to the Los Angeles Police Department, the suspect stopped behind the victim in a white 2021 Toyota Prius as he was walking through the space on Gilmore Road and Sylmar Avenue near Van Nuys Elementary School on Aug. 13.
The suspect, Jonh Erik Bastidas Arenas, opened the passenger door of the Prius, drew his gun and ordered the victim to get in, police said.
“Out of concern, the victim complied with his request,” the LAPD said in a news release. “In the vehicle, the suspect sexually assaulted the victim.”
According to the Los Angeles Police Department, the victim was able to escape and name the officers.
Investigators reviewed surveillance video from the area and identified Arenas as the suspect, the LAPD said, and the victim later confirmed Arenas was the attacker.
On Thursday, police arrested Arenas and he was placed in the LAPD’s Van Nuys Police Department jail. Investigators also found that Arenas has been hired as a contract driver by multiple ride-sharing companies since September 2021.
Anyone with details about Arenas’ potential additional assault was asked to name the LAPD.
Metropolitan Information Services contributed to this report.
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The Los Angeles Police Department is trying to find the victim of a carpool driver who allegedly sexually assaulted a 13-year-old in Van Nuys