DATE/TIME: February 28, 2024
INCIDENT: PC 288 / Lewd Acts with a Minor Under the Age of 14
PC 261 / Rape by Force
PC 207 / Kidnapping
LOCATION: 9000 block of Milliken Avenue, Rancho Cucamonga, CA
SUSPECT(S): Joaquin Cazares, 21-years-old, resident of Rancho Cucamonga
VICTIM(S): Confidential
SUMMARY: In December of 2023, San Bernardino County Sheriff's deputies took a report of lewd acts with a minor. It was learned the suspect, Joaquin Cazares, a Rancho Cucamonga resident, was a registered sex offender and was in custody in Los Angeles County on an unrelated charge.
Through investigation, detectives from Rancho Cucamonga substantiated the allegations against Cazares and obtained an arrest warrant for him. Based on the information collected, detectives believed there was a possibility of additional victims and over a two month period, they identified multiple other victims.
The investigation revealed Cazares was posing as a juvenile male on social media and meeting female minors with the intent of engaging in sexual activity. Detectives believe there may be additional unidentified victims and are releasing Cazares' photograph and the Instagram username, joaquinlmao, which he used to contact the minor victims.
Cazares remains in custody in Los Angeles County and will be transported to the custody of the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department upon completion of his commitment in Los Angeles.
Anyone who may have been a victim, or has information regarding this incident is urged to contact Detective T. Strand of the Rancho Cucamonga Station at (909) 477-2800. Callers wishing to remain anonymous are urged to call the We-Tip Hotline at 1-800-78-CRIME(27463) or use the We-Tip website at www.wetip.com.
Refer: Detective T. Strand
Station: Rancho Cucamonga Station
Phone No. (909) 477-2800
Case No. 112313052
SHANNON D. DICUS, Sheriff-Coroner
San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department
