- Jose Trinidad Tavarez, 51, is the handyman and security guard of Oasis Christian Church in Santa Ana, California
- He has been charged with molesting a four-year-old girl on Father’s Day
- Tavarez is a transient living out of his van across the street from the church
- He had worked for the church for the past year
- Tavarez apparently lured the girl with bags of potato chips
- After the alleged assault, the girl told her mother who called police
Jose Trinidad Tavarez, 51, is the handyman and security guard of Oasis Christian Church in Santa Ana
A 51-year-old man has been arrested after being accused of sexually assaulting a young girl at a California church.
The alleged assault occurred on Father’s Day but police believe there may be additional victims.
Tavarez allegedly molested a four-year-old girl while she attended a service on Sunday at Oasis Christian Church in Santa Ana.
The children were playing in a separate room while their parents attended the Father’s Day service and it is while the kids were on their own that it is believed Tavarez made his move.
When the little girl’s mother left the room where the children were to head to the service, ‘she noticed that the suspect in entering into the room where he’s the only adult with the children in that room,’ Cpl. Anthony Bertagna said to KTLA..
It was when the family were driving back home that the youngster told her mom, specifically naming Tavarez, investigators said.
Detectives believe Tavarez may have victimized others, and released surveillance footage showing the suspect near the church on Sunday
Tavarez was well known in the church congregation having been in his role as a handyman and security guard for the past year – but he had been living in a van across the street to which he allegedly lured the four-year old child.
Police arrested Tavarez on Monday and he was booked on suspicion of child molestation at the Orange County Jail, where he is being held on $100,000 bail.
Tavarez, ho’s a father of three, has been in trouble with the law before having been previously arrested on suspicion of soliciting an undercover officer for sex and contempt of court.
Oasis Church says it is fully cooperating with the police investigation.
Detectives believe Tavarez may have victimized others, and released surveillance footage showing the suspect near the church on Sunday.
Oasis Church in Santa Ana, pictured, says it is fully cooperating with the police investigation
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