BREAKING: Blythe Man, 73, Suspected of Luring Kids Freed, Arrested Again

A 73-year-old man suspected of trying to lure children into his car near schools was released from jail -- on paper -- but was immediately re-arrested pending the filing of charges, which could occur as early as today.

Authorities had until the end of the court day Monday to file criminal charges against Jeff Hsieh of Blythe or release him free from the Riverside County jail in Indio, where he was being held in lieu of $1 million bail.

Sheriff’s investigators provided their reports to county prosecutors too late for charges to be filed Monday, so sheriff’s officials technically released Hsieh late that afternoon, then immediately re-arrested him at 5 p.m., restarting the 48-hour clock on the filing of charges.

He is now scheduled to make an initial court appearance on Wednesday, and prosecutors are expected to file a complaint against him sometime before then.

Hsieh was taken into custody Thursday and booked on suspicion of two counts each of child annoyance, attempting to lure a child into a vehicle and stalking. He was arrested in the 18000 block of Maple Drive, in an unincorporated community near Blythe, sheriff’s Sgt. Julio Oseguera said.

The investigation dates back to May, when sheriff’s officials received reports that a man driving a white sedan tried to entice children into his car near a bus stop in the Palo Verde Valley, Oseguera said.

Authorities suspect Hsieh stopped his car near the bus stop on two separate occasions and tried to lure children into the vehicle. In both cases, the children ran away and reported the incidents, Oseguera said.

Related:

• Blythe Man Suspected of Luring Kids to Be Freed, Albeit Briefly

By City News Service

Photo courtesy of the Riverside Sheriff’s Department