Full Notification

Two weeks ago, San Leandro Police detectives arrested a 40-year old man who posed as a 14 year old boy on a smartphone app. and lured a 13 year old girl to leave home with him.  Today, police are asking for the public’s assistance, as investigators believe that there are additional teenage victims in the San Francisco Bay Area and Central Valley.

Police hope that this story, along with similar stories that have occurred throughout the area, will convince parents to engage their children in conversation and have candid discussions about communicating through social media apps and on-line chatrooms.

The case began a few weeks ago when a 13 year old San Leandro girl was reported missing by her parents.  Investigating officers learned that she had left for school, but had never arrived.  Hours later, she came home and told investigators that she had been kidnapped and later told them what had happened.

The girl, whose name is being withheld due to her age, met what she thought was a 14 year old boy on “KIK” – a popular social media smartphone application used by teens.  Once the 40 year old suspect, who disguised himself as the 14 year old boy built a level of trust with the girl, he drove from his home in Patterson, CA to San Leandro, and met with her.  

The suspect, who police have identified as 40 year old, Ian Teager of Patterson, CA arrived and was able to convince the 13 year old to get into his car and go with him.  Teager drove the unsuspecting teen to the Quality Inn Motel located in the 8400 block of Enterprise Dr. in Oakland, where he rented a room and took her inside.  

The investigation determined that several felonious sex crimes occurred in the motel room between the teen and man.  At some point, he drove her back home and left.

That day, detectives were able to identify Teager and obtain an arrest warrant for him.  Detectives went to Teager’s home in the 400 block of Eider Dr. in Patterson, where they arrested him and recovered evidence linked to the case.  

“This was definitely a case that could have ended tragically,” stated Lt. Robert McManus.  “In today’s world of technology, cell phones, and internet chat rooms, we cannot stress the importance of talking to your kids about safe ways to appropriately use electronic communication,” he said.

Through their investigation, police believe that there may be others in the area that Teager has victimized in the past.  Investigators ask anyone with a similar story or additional information about Teager to please call them at (510) 577-3230.

Teager was formally charged by the Alameda County District Attorney with several felony counts of committing sex acts with a minor under the age of 14.  Teager remains in police custody at Santa Rita Jail in Dublin, in lieu of $400,000 bail.  His next court appearance is scheduled for November 30th at the Alameda County Superior Court in Hayward. 

Police say that there are many resources available to parents and teens to prepare them to understand and use various applications and chatrooms.  One site available as a resource is www.aliciaproject.org, founded by a survivor that was kidnapped and held captive in 2002 when she was 13, after meeting a man in an on-line chatroom.  This led to the creation of "Alicia's Law," which has since been enacted in several states throughout the nation, supporting law enforcement task forces that work towards preventing internet crimes against children.

Police, many who are parents too, agree that stories like this can be frightening for parents and teens.  However, they know that by alerting others and providing educating about the potential dangers that teens may be exposed to, conversations may be generated between teens and parents that will hopefully prevent someone else from becoming victimized in this type of crime.   

    
MEDIA UPDATES WILL BE MADE AS INFORMATION BECOMES AVAILABLE

Please contact the San Leandro Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Division with any information regarding this case or any other case at (510) 577-3230. 

Information may also be submitted anonymously by:

•    Phone:    Anonymous Crime Tips at (510) 577-3278
•    Text Message:      Text “TipSLPolice” to 888777

For crime prevention tips, please visit the Police Department’s website at http://www.sanleandro.org/depts/pd or contact our Crime Prevention Unit at 510-577-3228.

Citizens play a critical role in creating a safe environment by observing and reporting any suspicious or criminal activity to the police.  The San Leandro Police Department recommends that citizens do not participate in any direct verbal or physical involvement with suspicious persons or those engaged in the commission of crimes. Personal safety of our community is paramount.  We encourage the San Leandro community to record the details of what they observe and to report those details to the police.  This type of community involvement and partnership has proven to be a very effective crime prevention tool.  Citizens act as the eyes and ears of the community first, and the extended eyes and ears of the San Leandro Police Department.  Thank you for being a force-multiplier in our efforts to provide professional police services and safety to the community.

PRESS RELEASE INFORMATION:

DATE / TIME OF RELEASE: 11/18/16 – 7:00pm

INCIDENTS: Man Arrested Posing as Teen on KIK Chatroom
 
PRESS RELEASE OFFICER:  Lt. Robert McManus        

TELEPHONE: (510) 577-3232

EMAIL: [email protected]

DATE / TIME OF INCIDENT: November 2016

ARREST LOCATION(S): 400 block of Eider Dr., Patterson, CA

INVESTIGATING DETECTIVE(S):  Det. Tom Rogers

SUSPECT(S):  Ian Teager, 40 year old male, Patterson, CA