SCPD Arrest Suspected Child Predator; Detectives Searching for Additional Victims
Originally published as a Santa Cruz Police Department Facebook post:
“MEDIA RELEASE | Santa Cruz Police Department arrested a 36-year-old male suspect for soliciting a minor for sex through an Instagram account. Detectives are looking to identify additional victims and those who have had contact with suspect Victor Calderon or the Instagram handle @raulrochasancho.
On March 14, 2022, the SCPD Investigations Unit was made aware of an Instagram account reaching out to underage female middle school students and attempting to meet to have sex. Upon receiving the information, detectives immediately conducted an investigation consisting of interviews, search warrants, and surveillance. Detectives identified the suspect as Victor Calderon, from Santa Cruz County.
As SCPD was working on the case, Victor Calderon attempted to lure a 14-year-old middle school student to a predetermined location with the intent to engage in sexual activity. On March 24, 2022, the suspect, Calderon, arrived at the specified place to meet up with a minor but was swiftly intercepted by SCPD Detectives and arrested without incident.
Through the course of the investigation, detectives discovered several other underage female victims who identified Calderon as the suspect reaching out to underage girls with sexual intent.
Evidence obtained with assistance from the Santa Cruz County District Attorney’s Office has led detectives to believe that Calderon may have previously met with and engaged in sexual acts with teenage girls.
Victor Calderon Rosales is currently in custody at the Santa Cruz County Main Jail for multiple charges of Soliciting a Minor for Sex.
Santa Cruz Police ask anyone who may be a victim or who knows someone who may have met up with Victor Calderon or was contacted on Instagram by the handle of “raulrochasancho” to contact the SCPD School Resource Officer Elliott Rock at (831) 420-5835 or by email Erock@cityofsantacruz.com. . Anonymous tips can be sent through our Tip Line (831) 420-5995 or www.santacruzpolice.com.
Santa Cruz Police encourages parents to speak to their teens about appropriate social media use. Remind them their social media safety is directly related to the personal information they share. Set privacy settings, advise them to be selective about friend requests, teach them never to agree to meet anyone they met online, review their social media periodically, and remind them that “what goes on the internet, stays on the internet.”
