BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — Earlier this month detectives with the Bakersfield Police Department arrested a 49-year-old man following an investigation involving online contact with a 16-year-old.
Detectives with BPD’s Special Victims Unit arrested Romulus Chan Reynera — who is known as “Romeo” — of Duarte on Sept. 8.
Reynera was arrested on suspicion of arranging and meeting with a minor for a lewd purpose, which is in violation of California Penal Code.
Through the investigation, detectives learned that Reynera first met the 16-year-old through Monkey, a randomized online video chat service similar to Omegle.
BPD said their conversation moved to Snapchat, where Reynera arranged to meet the minor in-person in Bakersfield.
“This case is a reminder that a conversation with a stranger can move quickly from a random video chat service to a private messaging app and then to a proposed meeting,” the department said.
Photo courtesy of the Bakersfield Police Department
The Bakersfield Police Department are encouraging parents and caretakers to check the apps and websites that their children use, through both installed apps and in internet browsers.
The department is also urging guardians to regularly talk with their children about who they communication with online, the risks of sharing photos, personal information or their location and to ask children to tell a trusted adult if someone online requests sexual content, asks to keep conversations secret or asks to meet in-person.
BPD said Flock cameras were “instrumental” in helping identify the suspect’s vehicle once in Bakersfield.
The department is also asking for anyone with information about the investigation to come forward or anyone who believes a child may have had contact with Reynera to contact BPD Detective Jose Medrano at 661-326-3504.
BPD said the investigation remains ongoing and to call 911 if a child is in immediate danger.
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