Child Escapes Attempted Kidnapping, More Victims Sought: RivCo Sheriff

MORENO VALLEY, CA — A 50-year-old man who allegedly tried to abduct a girl in Moreno Valley was behind bars Thursday on suspicion of attempted kidnapping, the Riverside County Sheriff's Department announced.

According to the law enforcement agency, deputies in Moreno Valley received a call shortly before 9:30 a.m. Wednesday about the incident reported in the area of Cactus Avenue and Perris Boulevard.

Two girls were walking to school when a stranger drove alongside them and tried to pull one of the children into his vehicle, according to the sheriff's department.

The girl was able to "break free from his grasp," and the students made it to campus, where they reported the incident to officials, the department said.

Sheriff's investigators spoke to the children and obtained a suspect and vehicle description. They searched the nearby area and spotted the vehicle around 10:45 a.m. in a residential neighborhood near Ormista and Searson drives.

The driver was identified as Rene Ramirez of Indio. After questioning, he was arrested in connection with the alleged attempt.

Ramirez is being held at Riverside's Robert Presley Detention Center. In addition to the attempted kidnapping charge, he is also being held on suspicion of misdemeanor annoying/molesting a child under 18, jail records show.

Ramirez, who is being held on $1 million bail, is due in court Friday, according to the jail records.

Anyone with additional information about the case or who suspects Ramirez may have contacted them is asked to contact Investigator Morales at the Moreno Valley Sheriff’s Station Investigations Bureau: 951-486-6700.