Full Notification

DATE/TIME: Monday, March 29, 2021 and Tuesday, March 30, 2021 at 8:30 pm

INCIDENT: Kidnapping and Annoying or Molest a Child Under the Age of 18

LOCATION: Civic Center Park, 14999 Dale Evans Parkway, Apple Valley

SUSPECT(S): Jose Abel Orellana, a 60-year-old resident of Apple Valley

VICTIM(S): V1) 9-year-old female, V2) 12-year-old female, V3), 11-year-old female


SUMMARY: On Tuesday, March 30, 2021, at approximately 8:30 pm, Deputy Alfred Flores with the Apple Valley Police Department was dispatched to Civic Center Park for a report of a subject attempting to touch two female juveniles.

Upon arrival, Deputy Flores learned, at approximately 4:00 pm, the 12-year-old female juvenile (V2) and an 11-year-old female juvenile (V3) were approached by a subject, later identified as Jose Abel Orellana, while near the restrooms. Orellana asked the girls for their names and attempted to shake their hands. When V2 tried to walk past Orellana, he grabbed a bracelet on her wrist. V2 pulled her hand back and returned to the playground. A short time later, both victims returned to the restroom and were approached by Orellana a second time. Orellana asked for their names, phone numbers and handed them his business card. A witness overheard the conversation and confronted Orellana. The witness also took a photo of Orellana's license plate as he was leaving.

While on scene, a nine-year-old victim (V1) advised Deputy Flores she was at the park on Monday, March 29, 2021, when the same subject approached her while on her way to the restroom. Orellana was standing near the restrooms when he asked V1 to go with him and offered her drugs. When she refused, Orellana grabbed her wrist, covered her mouth, and moved her several feet before she screamed for help, which caused Orellana to let go of her.

Orellana was contacted at his residence, arrested and booked into High Desert Detention Center on suspicion of Kidnapping and Annoying or molesting of a child under 18. He is being held in lieu of $250,000 bail and is scheduled to appear in the Victorville Superior Court on April 2, 2021.

Orellana's booking photo is being released as investigators believe there may be more victims.

Anyone with information about this investigation is asked to contact Deputy Alfred Flores or Detective Gary McWilliams at the Apple Valley Police Department at (760) 240-7400 or Sheriff’s Dispatch at (760) 956-5001. Callers wishing to remain anonymous are urged to call the We-Tip Hotline at 1-800-78CRIME (27463) or you may leave the information on the We-Tip website at www.wetip.com.

Refer: Jackie Alban, Media Relations

Station: Apple Valley Police Department

Phone No. (760) 240-7400

Case No. 182101538

JOHN McMAHON, Sheriff-Coroner
San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department