Woodland man arrested after alleged attempt to lure children for lewd acts
A Woodland man arrested after allegedly attempting to lure children for lewd acts has a history of crimes against minors, the Yolo County Sheriff’s Office said.
The two children, ages 10 and 8, escaped the March 2 encounter in the 17000 block of County Road 97 and told their parents, who called authorities, sheriff’s officials said.
The man, later identified by authorities as Bernardo “Bennie” Sanchez, 50, was believed to have fled to neighboring Solano County, according to sheriff’s officials.
Authorities learned Sanchez also was wanted on an active felony arrest warrant out of Solano County dating back eight years for alleged lewd acts with a child under 14 years old. Sanchez has a criminal history involving sexual offenses against minors dating to 2001, according to the sheriff’s office.
Yolo County sheriff’s tactical deputies served a search warrant early Tuesday at Sanchez’s home on Plane Avenue in Woodland in connection with the alleged child sex crimes and arrested him without incident. Deputies also found a handgun and a large amount of ammunition during their search. Sanchez is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition.
Authorities said the home is near both a high school and an elementary school, but classes were not in session when deputies served the warrant, the sheriff’s office said.
Sanchez was arrested on suspicion of child sexual assault and possession of weapons by a prohibited person and was booked into the Yolo County Jail without bail after deputies obtained a public safety bail enhancement, sheriff’s officials said.
Yolo County sheriff’s officials are asking any additional victims or witnesses to come forward.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Yolo County Sheriff’s Office Detective Hernan Vega at 530-668-5280 or hernan.vega@yolocounty.org.
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