SANTA BARBARA - On Sunday at 1:30 p.m., officers responded to a residence on 600 W. Sola Street in regards to a possible child molestation incident that just occurred.

 

A five year old girls was lured out of her apartment and was allegedly touched inappropriately by a man who identified as a street vendor who sold fruit and vegetables out of a push-cart in Westside neighborhoods.

 

Police searched for and found the man on the 500 block of W. Victoria Street, wearing different clothing. He is identified as: Silvano Rodelas Rojas, age 60, of Los Angeles.

 

Authorities said that Rojas frequently traveled to Santa Barbara to sell produce out of his cart, and was a known figure in several neighborhoods.

 

Police said the their investigation "found that the girl’s father was friendly to Rojas and had spoken with him on many occasions. On this date, Rojas went to their residence, and encountered the girl while the father was inside the residence. Rojas lured the girl to a secluded area in the apartment parking lot, and touched her in inappropriate ways."

 

The victim’s mother returned from running an errand and allegedly witnessed Rojas touching her daughter. Police say Rojas immediately left the scene and the parents called police.

 

Authorities allege Rojas had items that might have been used to lure his victims in his possesion. 

 

Rojas was booked at county jail for Child Molestation, and the case is being handled by Deputy District Attorney Mary Barron.