Watch CBS News

Illegal Immigrant Arrested In Kidnapping Of Riverside Girl, 9

RIVERSIDE (CBS) — An arrest has been made in the kidnapping of a nine-year-old Riverside girl.

Guzman Mug
(credit: Riverside Police Dept.)

Riverside police announced in a press conference Tuesday that Jose Wilson Rojas Guzman, 30, had been arrested. Authorities say Guzman had formerly rented a room from the girl's mother.

Riverside police investigators say the girl was snatched from her bedroom as she slept on Saturday May 7. The suspect later assaulted her and dropped her off in another part of Riverside. She was found the next day disoriented and knocking on neighborhood doors asking for help, police said.

The girl's mother was at work and had left the child at home with her two siblings the night of the abduction.

Guzman was originally questioned May 9, police said. A DNA sample was also obtained from him, and tests confirmed Monday that it matched DNA collected from the girl and crime scene, police said. Guzman was arrested later that day.

Guzman was booked on suspicion of attempted murder, kidnapping with injury and aggravated child sexual assault. Riverside Police Chief Sergio Diaz said he believes Guzman has molested other children.

Officials said he was in the United States illegally and has since been turned over to federal immigration authorities.

(©2011 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Wire services contributed to this report.)

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.