Photo: Andy Guadalupe Menjivar
Ventura County – Proving once again the hazards of allowing oneself to become involved in an anonymous online relationship, an 18-year-old Thousand Oaks female found herself the kidnapped victim of sexual assault when she was lured to a midnight meeting with 21-year-old Canoga Park resident Andy Guadalupe Menjivar.
According to Ventura County Sheriff’s Department spokesman Det. Darin Yanover, the victim “made arrangements to meet with Menjivar” in a busy Thousand Oaks shopping center parking lot at midnight on January 5th.
When she drove to the agreed-upon rendezvous to meet Menjivar, he “identified himself as a police officer.” At that point he drove the young woman to a secluded parking lot where he allegedly sexually assaulted her and then drove her back to her car, whereupon she was released.
The victim promptly called 911 Emergency and reported the crime, bringing detectives to the scene who immediately initiated an intense investigation. Four days later, with Menjivar’s description in hand, he was located leaving from an apartment comple in Los Angeles County and promptly taken into custody.
Menjivar was transported to Ventura County Jail where he was booked on a charge of intent to commit sexual assault, kidnapping, and sexual assault “under color of authority by impersonating a police officer.” His bail was set at $500,000, as the nature of the alleged crimes is considered serious enough to potentially win him a prison term of fifteen years to life.
Photo: Courtesy Ventura County Jail Booking
