Who:
Los Angeles City Councilmember Tony Cardenas, Los Angeles Police Chief William Bratton, and Robbery Homicide Detectives.

What:
News Conference Announcing an Arrest of a Sexual Predator

When:
Friday, October 17, 2003, at 4:00 p.m.

Where:
Van Nuys Area Police Station (in back), 6240 Sylmar Avenue, Van Nuys

Los Angeles: On Thursday, October 16, 2003, at about 7:00 a.m., the victim, a 13 year-old female Hispanic, and a resident of Van Nuys was abducted as she walked to Fulton Middle School with a friend. The victim was forced at gunpoint into a vehicle by a male Hispanic suspect, who then drove her to a secluded location and sexually assaulted her.

On Thursday at about 9:30 p.m., Los Angeles Police Department patrol officers stopped a white van at Woodley Avenue and Victory Boulevard. Inside the van they found a male matching the description of the sexual assault suspect and a 17 year-old female companion.

Further investigation revealed that the suspect later identified as Ulrich Mejia, was the person responsible, for the kidnapping and assault of the 13 year-old female. A weapon was recovered that is a replica matching the description of the handgun used in the kidnapping.

Ulrich Mejia, a 32 year-old resident of Van Nuys, was arrested and booked for 207 P.C. Kidnapping.

Additional information regarding this incident will be made available at the news conference.

Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to call Robbery Homicide Division, Rape-Special Section at 213-485-2921 or the Van Nuys Homicide Unit, at 818-756-8370. On weekends and during off-hours, please contact the 24-hour toll free number at the Detective Information Desk, 1-877-LAWFULL, 1-877-529-3855.

This media advisory was prepared by Public Information Officer Grace Brady, Media Relations Section, 213-485-3586.