Crime & Safety

Missing Teen Found In Orange County Hotel Room With Man, Police Say

The man was arrested Wednesday when authorities found him in a motel room with a missing San Diego teen.

SANTA ANA, CA — A man suspected in a sex trafficking case was arrested Wednesday after police found him with a missing 14-year-old girl inside a Santa Ana motel room, police said.

The news comes after a public advisory from the Santa Ana Police Department was issued, stating that officers assisted a Human Trafficking Task Force made up of U.S. Marshals and Los Angeles Police Department teams in search for the teen, who had been reported missing out of San Diego.

According to officials, she was believed to be a victim of sex trafficking.

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The investigation led task force members to the California Lodge in the 2900 block of South Bristol Street early Wednesday morning, where they requests help from Santa Ana police, authorities said.

Santa Ana police, along with Code Enforcement personnel, helped identify the specific room where the teen was believed to be.

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The suspect, identified only as a 21-year-old man, was taken into custody. The girl was moved by LAPD, according to the SAPD.

No further information was immediately available.

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