Man arrested in Norma Lopez murder case
Friday, October 21, 2011
Norma Lopez was murdered in July 2010 after disappearing while walking home from summer school in Moreno Valley. (KABC Photo)
MORENO VALLEY, Calif. (KABC) -- Police said they have arrested a man in the case of Norma Lopez, the teenager who was kidnapped and murdered while walking home from school in Moreno Valley.
Lopez disappeared in July 2010 as she was walking home from a summer class at Valley View High School.
The teenager took a shortcut through a field and authorities believe that's where she was abducted. They found signs of a struggle and some personal items belonging to Lopez there.
Her body was found five days later a short distance from her home.
Authorities said Friday they arrested 35-year-old Jesse Torres for murder and kidnapping.
Torres was taken into custody Thursday in Long Beach, but records show he used to live right across the street from Lopez's high school.
Martine Lopez, the victim's father, told Eyewitness News that he's happy his daughter is getting justice and that the police did not just drop the case.
Neighbors were not surprised by news of the arrest.
"The way he acted, the stuff he asked about was really weird," said neighbor David Silva.
The news of an arrest was first posted Thursday night on a Facebook page put together by Lopez's family.
(Copyright ©2011 KABC-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.)
missing person, homicide investigation, murder, riverside county, inland empire news, praetorian
MORENO VALLEY, Calif. (KABC) -- A teenage girl has died after she was found shot inside a car in Moreno Valley on Sunday.
She was taken to Riverside County Medical Center where she was later pronounced dead.
Authorities released no further details about the incident as the investigation was on going.
If you have any information regarding this incident, you're urged to contact the Moreno Valley Police Department.
There is a disturbing trend in the works here. The incidents are becoming more frequent and more brazen every where.
NORTHRIDGE, LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Police say a man is posing as an officer to harass young girls in the San Fernando Valley. The suspect threatened to arrest one girl and told another he needed to put a tracking device in her bra.
The suspect reportedly flashes a phony law enforcement badge in an effort to earn the trust of his victims.
According to police, a sixth grader at Lawrence Middle School in Chatsworth was walking home alone on Friday afternoon when a man approached her near the intersection of Independence Avenue and Vintage Street.
The man pulled out a fake badge, told her he needed to put a tracking device on her bra and then touched her inappropriately.
Another sixth-grade girl reported a similar incident when she walked home alone last month.
The school sent out a flier to parents informing them of the incident.
"I have my son that goes here, so that's really scary. I think I'm going to be picking him up all the time," said parent Maribel Orozco.
The suspect was described as a 20- to 22-year-old man, 5 feet 4 inches to 5 feet 5 inches tall, with short brown hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing a white T-shirt and blue shorts.
"I know there are a lot of tricks that some people use to talk to small kids, but I tell them they don't have to follow anyone's instructions except for us," said parent Jorge Barrera.
Officers say if you're worried about a cop being a fake, ask to see an identification card.
"We all carry identification. We're required to give a business card at the end of an investigation. Make sure that you ask for a business card. You'll certainly get one," said LAPD Sgt. William Sanders.
Police say more victims have come forward, and they are working on putting out a sketch of the suspect.
Anyone with information is urged to call the LAPD Devonshire detectives at (818) 832-0609.
Talk to your children NOW!
Moreno Valley and neighboring cities must face the reality of the most heinous crimes: a large number of attempted kidnappings of adolescent girls on their way to or from school
Where as most victims were able to flee, that hasn't been the case for some. The following is a word for word copy of an email sent out just yesterday by President of the East Area Neighborhood Watch:
"My 14 year old daughter was on her way to school (Mountain View Middle School), when a car (black El Camino) pulled over and the male tried to get her into the car. When he put his hand on the handle to get out of his vehicle, my daughter ran fast to school and told the Principal and Vice Principal.
Suspect is a male Hispanic, about 30 yrs old, weird eyes.. possibly one smaller than the other. This happened 6-3-2011 today at 8AM off of Morrison and Dracea.
I contacted Moreno Valley Police, Officer Gordon (3737) made a report (File# MV11 1540075). He brought in an forensic-artist to make a computerized sketch of the male. The sketch will be available next week, and Officer Gordon is going to ask the other girls if this is the same guy. MVPD handled this very professionally and very prompt. Thank You MVPD!
The school did not call the Police nor inform me (her mother). My daughter informed me through her cell phone at school. The Principal has informed me that activating the 911 system is NOT their policy. Only if the male had opened the door or touched her. I can not say how stomach-churning I feel, that no one called me or the Police. The policy according to Principle Fay, is that they call the SRO and the SRO writes an indecent report and that it lands on ___ desk. I have not spoken to ___ yet. But I will have more to say about this.
Back in December 2010, three girls had the same problem with a male trying to get them into his car. But the car was beige. Male Hispanic, about 30 years old, shaved head, once again on Dracea.. between Nason and Morrison. Norma Lopez was killed walking home from school at Dracea and Nason (one street away).
Lets get an active group to walk/drive around the schools at 7:30AM and 2:30PM. Only one more week of school. Please email me back to join in as we keep a look out for this guy or guys. Remember we are just the eyes and ears, the Police do the rest. 951-247-8700-5 Police non-emergency line, report all suspects.
PS, My daughter has only walked to school maybe four times this whole school year."
Thank you and Stay Safe!
JulieAnn Stewart-Cleaveland
Thank you Julie all of us that know you or you daughter are relieved. This writer is aware of similar attempts that have not made mainstream news on the N.W. side of Moreno Valley.
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Chino Hills detectives from the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department identified Stutzman through a vehicle description and a partial reading of his license plate.
Stutzman is accused of trapping five juvenile females on Apr. 22. The girls were walking through a field and entered a drainage tunnel near Butterfield Ranch Rd. and Pine Ave. in Chino Hills.
When the girls were in the tunnel, Stutzman allegedly blocked the entrance masturbating with his pants unzipped and a T-shirt pulled over his face with eye holes cut. He allegedly had a hand raised threatening with a possible weapon.
Stutzman allegedly told the girls to put down their cell phones. One of the girls tried to get past him, whereupon Stutzman allegedly pushed her back and threatened her. One of the girls then sprayed Stutzman with pepper-spray, and the girls were able to escape.
They reported the incident at a nearby restaurant, and an independent witness was able to identify the suspect's vehicle as he drove away.
Chino Hills detectives traced Stutzman to his Eastvale residence. He was arrested on charges of false imprisonment, indecent exposure and making criminal threats. A search warrant was served and evidence was recovered from the residence.
Stutzman was held at the West Valley Detention Center and was expected to be arraigned Friday in Chino Hills Superior Court.
Anyone with information regarding this case was urged to contact Detective R. Hilfer at (909)364-2000.
YUCCA VALLEY, Calif. (KABC) -- There are mounting concerns in the Inland Empire where parents recently found out that a convicted sex offender is enrolled at Yucca Valley High School.
It's rare when a new student is a convicted sex offender. But that's exactly what happened at Yucca Valley High School, when 18-year-old Steven Holt started classes last week.
The San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department can't say exactly what his crimes were, but reportedly there were a number of sexual assaults. And there were several victims: some as old as 15; others as young as 6.
"I think it's horrible. I don't know why he's allowed to come to the school," said parent Mike Dorame. "I mean, sounds like he's got numerous occasions of doing what he's doing. I don't know, it just seems like he should be somewhere else other than where my daughter's hanging out."
Parents found out Tuesday night when they got a letter in the mail from the school district with the student's name and age, but no picture.
This might not be an issue for long. Late Wednesday afternoon, there was word that the student's family is taking him out of classes at the school. According to the law, they didn't have to.
"Just because he's a sex offender doesn't mean that he can't attend school," said Cindy Bachman, spokeswoman for the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Dept. "The law says that a registered sex offender cannot be on school grounds unless they have lawful business there, and Steven Holt has lawful business here."
But it's unlikely that Holt will attend Yucca Valley High School. It was unclear where he'll go next.
school, sex crimes, inland empire news, rob mcmillan
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San Jacinto resident Jeremiah Gifford, 34, was arrested on Wednesday, Dec. 29, 2010, charged with owning and distributing child pornography. (KABC Photo)
SAN JACINTO, Calif. (KABC) -- A San Jacinto man was arrested on Wednesday, charged with owning and distributing child pornography.Police say Jeremiah Gifford, 34, gave pornography to an undercover officer from Illinois. Investigators from both states traced Gifford using Internet subscriber information.They're planning to examine several pieces of digital media equipment found inside his home.
San Jacinto resident Jeremiah Gifford, 34, was arrested on Wednesday, Dec. 29, 2010, charged with owning and distributing child pornography. (KABC Photo)
SAN JACINTO, Calif. (KABC) -- A San Jacinto man was arrested on Wednesday, charged with owning and distributing child pornography.
Police say Jeremiah Gifford, 34, gave pornography to an undercover officer from Illinois. Investigators from both states traced Gifford using Internet subscriber information.
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