Watch CBS News

Authorities Identity Suspect In Attempted Kidnapping Of Riverside Teen

RIVERSIDE (CBSLA)  -- Detectives have named a suspect in the attempted kidnapping of a teen in Riverside this week.

Police are looking for Henry "Oscar" Mazariegos-Gonzales, 29, of Riverside.

Police said the suspect hit the victim in the head with a metal object.The victim told CBS2.KCAL9's Nicole Comstock she believed the object was a hammer.

Suspect Sketch 190022446
(credit: Riverside PD)

She showed Comstock a wound in her head that required two staples to close.

Related Link: Young Teen Tells Story Of Being Hit In Head By Hammer, Nearly Kidnapped

It is believed the suspect may have fled to Mexico to evade authorities.

Mazariegos-Gonzales allegedly borrowed a friend's work truck, authorities said.

Attempred Kidnapper Sought
(credit: Riverside Police Dept.)

Officials said that on Tuesday morning, between 8 and 8:30 a.m. the suspect attempted to grab the victim and pull her into the truck that was parked in the 6200 block of Rutland, along her school route.

After being struck, the 14-year-old girl said she fought back and was able to flee.

Comstock spoke to the girl's mother Friday night. She said it was scary to find out the suspect lived within minutes of her home.

"We just want to get him and put him in jail," the mom said. "so he don't hurt another little girl."

Police said the alleged victim positively identified Mazariegos-Gonzalez as her attacker.

Authorities said they collected evidence from the truck but did not recover the hammer.

Officials don't know what kind of vehicle Mazariegos-Gonzalez might now be driving.

If anyone knows of the suspect's whereabouts or has any additional information regarding this investigation, please call Detective Christi Arnold at (951) 353-7945 or carnold@riversideca.gov, or Detective Brandi Merrill at (951) 353-7120 or bmerrill@riversideca.gov.

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.