Small Girl Kidnapped and Molested at Memorial Park in Upland

Staff Writer

Tuesday, November 22nd, 2016

UPLAND – In the blink of an eye, an 8-year-old girl was kidnapped and molested at Memorial Park located on East Foothill Boulevard in the City of Upland.

On Saturday, November 19, 2016, just before 2:30 p.m. the girl was playing on the playground only yards away from her family, who was watching her when the incident occurred. As the girl was playing, the suspect took the child’s hand and guided her away from the other children. Once away from the other children, authorities said he committed a lewd act with her.

The family witnessed him taking her hand and immediately ran to her aid to protect her. The family reported the incidents and officers arrived shortly after. Officers located and arrested the suspect, later identified as Ronnie Manuel Vega, a 32-year-old registered sex offender who is homeless.

The child was not injured and left with her family. Vega was booked into the West Valley Detention Center for kidnapping, lewd act with a child, and a probation violation. Vega was on Post Release Community Supervision, also known as PRCS /AB 109 is being held on $500,000 bail.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Upland police at 909-946-7624 or anonymously call WeTip at (800)78-CRIME.