Sex offender arrested for alleged kidnapping

A registered sex offender was arrested Tuesday on suspicion of exposing himself to a teenage girl in City Heights last month and kidnapping a 9-year-old girl in Valencia Park a week later, authorities reported.

DNA evidence allegedly ties Ieremia Tuiolemotu, 37, to the June 15 abduction, according to San Diego police.

The victim was walking to school about 8:45 that morning when the kidnapper pulled up alongside her in a van in the 100 block of Latimer Street.

The man got out, grabbed the youngster and ordered her to get into the vehicle. She complied, but was able to break free and flee moments later. The girl suffered no serious injuries.

Investigators believe Tuiolemotu also is responsible for a June 9 indecent exposure case in the 4600 block of Wightman Street in City Heights, SDPD spokeswoman Monica Munoz said.

The flasher, who was inside a white van when he committed the crime, did not make physical contact with the 17-year-old victim.

Tuiolemotu’s previous offenses include indecent exposure and annoying or molesting a minor, Munoz said.

The spokeswoman declined to disclose how police obtained the DNA sample that allegedly links Tuiolemotu to the abduction.

Tags: City Heights, kidnapping, SDNN, sex offender

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