PALMDALE, Calif.–A 50-year-old man with a makeshift bed in his car was arrested on suspicion of child molestation and attempted kidnapping by an off-duty sheriff’s deputy, authorities said today.
Tracy Jones of Apple Valley was arrested Friday afternoon when an off-duty sheriff’s deputy and his wife saw him driving by a nervous looking 15-year-old girl walking on the sidewalk in the 39000 block of Summerwind Drive, according to Lt. K.F. Wright of the Palmdale Sheriff’s Station.
The deputy followed, pulling ahead of Jones’ vehicle, requiring the girl to walk past his own vehicle. He showed her his sheriff’s badge and asked if there were a problem.
The girl said the suspect tried to talk her into getting into his car, then yelled at her in an intimidating manner, ordering her to get into the car.
When she refused, he offered her money for specified lewd acts, Wright said.
The deputy then followed the suspect, who after several blocks pulled over and approached the deputy. The deputy showed him his badge and tried to detain him, Wright said.
The suspect walked back to his car, retrieved a small baggie of marijuana, which he then threw a distance away from the car. He then followed the deputy’s orders, Wright said.
Deputies from the Palmdale Sheriff’s Station interviewed the off-duty deputy, the victim and the suspect and arrested Jones, Wright said.
The makeshift bed was found in Jones car and several Viagra pills were found in his possession, Wright said.
Jones was being held on $120,000 bail and his next court date is Jan. 10, Wright said.
