In California, a good Samaritan rescued a 13-year-old Texas girl from a kidnapper after noticing a “help me” sign on her car window.
Police arrested and charged Steven Robert Sablan, 61, with one count of kidnapping with intent to commit a sexual offense and one count of transporting a minor. Authorities have warned of a possible kidnapping victim in Long Beach, Calif. according to In a press release issued by the U.S. Attorney’s Office Thursday.
Texas man charged with kidnapping girl at gunpoint and repeatedly assaulting her during road trip arrested in Long Beach, California https://t.co/jeynStrjxZ
— LA US Attorney (@USAO_LosAngeles) July 20, 2023
On July 6, the 13-year-old victim was walking down a San Antonio street when Sablan, who was in his car, allegedly approached him. Prosecutors allege Sablan threatened the victim with a pistol, saying, “If you don’t get in the car with me, I’ll hurt you.”
Fearing for her life, the girl complied, at which point Sablan allegedly began questioning her, including her age. Her statement says he sexually assaulted her multiple times over the next two days in her car en route to California after she told him he was 13.
On July 9, Sablan parked his car in Long Beach and allegedly left a teenage boy in the car when he went to the laundromat to wash his clothes. While Sablan was away, the boy wrote “Help me” on a piece of paper, which he left in the car window hoping someone would see it, officials said. (Related: A pack of bloodhounds helps iPad track man suspected of luring 11-year-old girl into car)
Good Samaritan saw the sign and immediately called authorities, whereupon he found Sablan standing near the car as the victim was yelling “help me” from inside the car. A search of the vehicle found black BB bullets, a “help me” sign and handcuffs, the statement said.
Sablan is scheduled to be arraigned in federal district court in downtown Los Angeles on July 31. If convicted, he could face the maximum statutory life sentence in federal prison, the statement said.
