Man Arrested In Sexual Assault Of 10-Year-Old Girl In Poway: Sheriff's Office

POWAY, CA — Authorities have arrested a man suspected of sexually assaulting a 10-year-old girl in Poway, officials announced Thursday.

Jose Santana, 36, was arrested Wednesday and booked on suspicion of one count of lewd and lascivious act on a child using force, according to the San Diego County Sheriff's Office.

The sexual battery was reported shortly after 6 p.m. Saturday near the 13400 block of Midland Road. The girl was with a friend at the time, who screamed for the man to stop, sheriff's officials said. The man then fled the scene on an electric scooter.

The sheriff's ASTREA helicopter, K-9 units and deputies searched the area but were unable to locate the suspect. Detectives with the sheriff's Child Abuse Unit took over the investigation and canvassed the area.

Earlier this week, the sheriff's office released a sketch of the suspect, followed by surveillance photos of the suspect on a scooter.

After a four-day manhunt, Santana was arrested Wednesday and booked into the San Diego Central Jail.

Anyone with information about the case was asked to contact the sheriff's Child Abuse Unit at 858-285-6222 or after hours at 858-868-3200. Anonymous tips may be submitted to San Diego County Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477.