A sex offender tried to hide from officers Wednesday afternoon after annoying a teen girl, but his ankle bracelet led officers right to him.
Arrested was Carlos Espinoza, 31, on suspicion of child annoyance, delaying an officer and violation of his parole. Espinoza was held without bail.
The incident happened after Espinoza was found parked outside the teen's home in the 1100 block of East Ada Avenue after reportedly annoying the girl last week, when he pretended to seek help finding work from the girl's brothers, according to police. He reportedly used that story as a guise to try and get close to the girl.
"He made comments that he would like to go out with the 16-year-old," said Lieutenant Joe Ward of
Espinoza was seen parked near the home of the 16-year-old girl around 3:45 p.m. Wednesday. Espinoza was reportedly parked outside the home in his van for four hours, according to statements from the family and a neighbor. Espinoza fled in his van when discovered.
Officers and detectives learned Espinoza was living inside the van and frequently stayed at the Costco parking lot in Azusa, Ward said.
Police found the van unoccupied in Azusa and searched the area, using the GPS device on his ankle to pinpoint his location. An officer saw Espinoza inside a pawn shop near the intersection of Todd Avenue and Foothill Boulevard, but Espinoza fled and hid amongst nearby buildings.
With the aid of Azusa Police, officers continually used Espinoza's GPS device to establish a containment area and search for the suspect, who eventually emerged and surrendered, Ward said.
Another incident was reported at 9:13 p.m. at the Ada Avenue address, with the brother of Espinoza reportedly threatening the teen's family and the neighbor. As the family alerted police, the brother, Jorge Espinoza, a Glendora resident, arrived to the Glendora Police Station to reportedly tell his side of the confrontation, Ward said.
Jorge was eventually arrested on suspicion of dissuading a witness.
Carlos is set to appear at West Covina Superior Court Sept. 7. Court information for Jorge was not available.
