Topline: The suspect allegedly molested the child after luring her into his van and brandishing a handgun.
Published: August 23, 2025 1:00 pm ET
Must Read
Guillermo Cascante, 57, shown in a booking photo alongside the van he allegedly used to kidnap an 11-year-old girl. (via Highland PD)
HIGHLAND, CA — A California man posing as an animal control employee is behind bars for allegedly kidnapping and raping a young girl who was looking for her lost dog.
According to a news release from the Highland Police Department, deputies responded to a call regarding a kidnapping around 8:49 p.m. on August 19.
Police say the caller reported an 11-year-old female victim had been kidnapped, escaped the suspect, and returned home.
Through investigation, deputies learned the suspect, 57-year-old Guillermo Cascante, was driving an older white ambulance style van and approached the victim while she was looking for her missing dog near San Francisco Street and 14th Street in Highland, California.
Investigators said Cascante pretended to work for Animal Control and offered to help the victim find her dog. The victim got into the vehicle and Cascante drove away.
While in the vehicle, Cascante produced a handgun, drove the victim around the city and molested her, police said.
Shortly after, Cascante stopped near Cunningham Street and 9th street and let the victim out of the van. The victim ran home, and Cascante fled the location.
During the investigation, deputies conducted an area check and located a vehicle matching the suspect vehicle description parked near 18th Street and Guthrie Street.
On Wednesday, August 20, 2025, detectives served a search warrant at a residence in the 2000 block of East 18th Street where Cascante was located.
He was arrested and booked in at the West Valley Detention Center under charges of kidnapping, lewd and lascivious acts with a child under 14, and lewd and lascivious acts with child under 14 with force/fear.
Detectives believe other victims may exist.
Anyone who may have been victimized by Cascante or anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact the Highland Sheriff’s Station at (909) 425-9793.
Callers wishing to remain anonymous are urged to call the We-Tip Hotline at 1-800-78-CRIME (27463) or leave information on the We-Tip website at www.wetip.com.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Suspect Posed as Animal Control Officer to Kidnap, Rape Young Girl Looking for Lost Dog
The suspect allegedly molested the child after luring her into his van and brandishing a handgun.
By Jacob Charles
Published: August 23, 2025 1:00 pm ET
Guillermo Cascante, 57, shown in a booking photo alongside the van he allegedly used to kidnap an 11-year-old girl. (via Highland PD)
HIGHLAND, CA — A California man posing as an animal control employee is behind bars for allegedly kidnapping and raping a young girl who was looking for her lost dog.
According to a news release from the Highland Police Department, deputies responded to a call regarding a kidnapping around 8:49 p.m. on August 19.
Police say the caller reported an 11-year-old female victim had been kidnapped, escaped the suspect, and returned home.
Through investigation, deputies learned the suspect, 57-year-old Guillermo Cascante, was driving an older white ambulance style van and approached the victim while she was looking for her missing dog near San Francisco Street and 14th Street in Highland, California.
Investigators said Cascante pretended to work for Animal Control and offered to help the victim find her dog. The victim got into the vehicle and Cascante drove away.
While in the vehicle, Cascante produced a handgun, drove the victim around the city and molested her, police said.
Shortly after, Cascante stopped near Cunningham Street and 9th street and let the victim out of the van. The victim ran home, and Cascante fled the location.
During the investigation, deputies conducted an area check and located a vehicle matching the suspect vehicle description parked near 18th Street and Guthrie Street.
On Wednesday, August 20, 2025, detectives served a search warrant at a residence in the 2000 block of East 18th Street where Cascante was located.
He was arrested and booked in at the West Valley Detention Center under charges of kidnapping, lewd and lascivious acts with a child under 14, and lewd and lascivious acts with child under 14 with force/fear.
Detectives believe other victims may exist.
Anyone who may have been victimized by Cascante or anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact the Highland Sheriff’s Station at (909) 425-9793.
Callers wishing to remain anonymous are urged to call the We-Tip Hotline at 1-800-78-CRIME (27463) or leave information on the We-Tip website at www.wetip.com.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
Must Read
Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Suspect Posed as Animal Control Officer to Kidnap, Rape Young Girl Looking for Lost Dog
The suspect allegedly molested the child after luring her into his van and brandishing a handgun.
By Jacob Charles
Published: August 23, 2025 1:00 pm ET
Guillermo Cascante, 57, shown in a booking photo alongside the van he allegedly used to kidnap an 11-year-old girl. (via Highland PD)
HIGHLAND, CA — A California man posing as an animal control employee is behind bars for allegedly kidnapping and raping a young girl who was looking for her lost dog.
According to a news release from the Highland Police Department, deputies responded to a call regarding a kidnapping around 8:49 p.m. on August 19.
Police say the caller reported an 11-year-old female victim had been kidnapped, escaped the suspect, and returned home.
Through investigation, deputies learned the suspect, 57-year-old Guillermo Cascante, was driving an older white ambulance style van and approached the victim while she was looking for her missing dog near San Francisco Street and 14th Street in Highland, California.
Investigators said Cascante pretended to work for Animal Control and offered to help the victim find her dog. The victim got into the vehicle and Cascante drove away.
While in the vehicle, Cascante produced a handgun, drove the victim around the city and molested her, police said.
Shortly after, Cascante stopped near Cunningham Street and 9th street and let the victim out of the van. The victim ran home, and Cascante fled the location.
During the investigation, deputies conducted an area check and located a vehicle matching the suspect vehicle description parked near 18th Street and Guthrie Street.
On Wednesday, August 20, 2025, detectives served a search warrant at a residence in the 2000 block of East 18th Street where Cascante was located.
He was arrested and booked in at the West Valley Detention Center under charges of kidnapping, lewd and lascivious acts with a child under 14, and lewd and lascivious acts with child under 14 with force/fear.
Detectives believe other victims may exist.
Anyone who may have been victimized by Cascante or anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact the Highland Sheriff’s Station at (909) 425-9793.
Callers wishing to remain anonymous are urged to call the We-Tip Hotline at 1-800-78-CRIME (27463) or leave information on the We-Tip website at www.wetip.com.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
Must Read
