Santa Maria man arrested on suspicion of lewd acts against children

Last week, a Santa Maria man was arrested on suspicion of groping several young girls at a local retail store. Investigators believe there may be more victims.

According to the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office, officers were called to the Orcutt Dollar Tree on Wednesday, August 21, because a man had grabbed a six-year-old girl's buttocks.

On Friday, September 13, officials received two more reports of a nine-year-old girl and a seven-year-old girl being abducted at the same Dollar Tree store.

Sheriff's officials say investigators were able to identify the suspect as Angel Gabriel LopezRojas, 20, of Santa Maria. He was arrested on Thursday, September 19, and booked into the Northern Branch Jail. He is facing charges including lewd and lascivious acts with a minor under the age of 14 and child molestation. He is being held without bail.

Sheriff's officials are asking anyone with information about other possible crimes involving LopezRojas to contact Detective Brownlee at (805) 681-4150. To provide an anonymous tip, call (805) 681-4171 or visit the sheriff's website.