THE MERCEDES-BENZ considered a suspect vehicle (RPD).

By Jim Tortolano
Orange County Tribune

A Garden Grove man has been arrested for allegedly “engaging in lewd behavior” near a high school in Riverside.

According to the Riverside Police Department, Francis Ledesma Castillo, 37, is charged with multiple offenses of annoying or molesting children and indecent exposure.

FRANCIS LEDESMA CASTILLO (RPD photo).

Additionally, a search of his home resulted in finding several unregistered firearms, an illegally-manufactured AR-style rifle and armor-piercing ammunition.

An RPD school resource officer launched an investigation into reports of a male suspect masturbating inside a black Mercedes-Benz sedan next to Abraham Lincoln High School in the Eastside Neighborhood.

The inquiry that followed identified Castillo as the suspect and he was located and contacted in Garden Grove on May 1. A search warrant was obtained and served, resulting in the discovery of the firearms and ammunition.

“We believe Mr. Ledesma Castillo may have committed similar lewd acts in his black Mercedes-Benz near many other schools across Riverside and Orange counties,” said Capt. Chad Milby of the RPD. “It’s likely there are additional victims who have not yet come forward.”

Anyone with more information about this issue is urged to contact Riverside Police Detective Andre Sanchez at (951) 353-7133 or AMSanchez@RiversideCA.gov.