SONOMA COUNTY (KRON) – A man is behind bars after police say he kidnapped and sexually assaulted a girl walking to school.
This happened near Altimira Middle School in Sonoma County.
Police say they got a call around 8 a.m. from the school and simultaneously received another call saying someone with a similar description was trying to abduct and assault another student.
The first victim told police the suspect grabbed her at knifepoint near El Dorado and Railroad Avenue and forced the 14-year-old into his car.
Police say Jesse Leon Granado-Lopez of Sonoma drove the teen to another location and sexually assaulted her.
The second victim was approached in the same area and police say the suspect tried to grab her. She was able to fight him off and get away.
Both victims gave similar descriptions of the man and his car.
Officers found the man and arrested him at 9:45 a.m.
“This is extremely traumatic for the victims,” the Sonoma Sheriff’s Department said in a statement. “They both did the right thing by telling authorities right away and we are grateful for their cooperation. We ask everyone to respect their privacy. If you know them, please support them however you can. We also appreciate the cooperation and swift action by school staff.”
Officials said they’re confident Granado-Lopez was the only one involved in these cases.
Deputies said they will be doing extra patrols near the school for the rest of the week.
He’s facing six felony charges of lewd and lascivious acts with a minor using force, kidnapping with the intent to commit rape, oral copulation with a minor using force, sexual penetration of an object with a minor, rape and attempted kidnapping.
He’s being held without bail, police said.
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