Police: Murrieta Man With Alleged Sock Fetish Accused Of Targeting Girls

MURRIETA (CBSLA.com) — A Murrieta man who was arrested on suspicion of child annoyance was out on bail Tuesday, authorities said.

Alexis Edmundo Garcia, 31, was arrested April 11 after a Murrieta Police Department detective spotted him talking with a teenage girl near the Murrieta Boys and Girls Club around 4:20 p.m., police said.

According to investigators, Garcia has been seen loitering around several school campuses in Murrieta since February. Police say he typically drives up to minor female victims between the ages of 11 and 17 and engages them in conversation, which usually centers around the victim's socks.

Detectives believe the suspect has a fixation with the socks being worn by the victims, according to police, who say the obsession is sexual in nature.

Police have confirmed victims were contacted in or around Mesa High School, Shivela Middle School, Rail Ranch Elementary and Alta Murrieta Elementary.

Garcia is accused of child annoyance, contacting a child with intent to commit a sexual offense and possession of child pornography.

He was released on $5,000 bail on Saturday, according to public records.

The police department is asking parents to discuss the incidents with their daughters to determine if there are additional victims in this case.

Anyone with information was encouraged to call Det. Sergeant Phil Gomez at (951)461-6356 or the police non-emergency number at (951)696-3615.