Sheriff’s K9 Tracks Suspect in Sexual Assault on Child

SBSO Press Release
Sheriff’s Deputies and two Sheriff’s K9’s were called into the area of Girsch Park to search for a man who allegedly attacked an eight year old girl. After several hours of searching, Sheriff’s Deputy Michael McNeil and his K9 partner “Betti” tracked the suspect to a drainage culvert near the railroad tracks on the Stoke Rd. overpass. The suspect, 38 year old Leobardo Alatorre (8-16-68) of Goleta, was arrested for kidnapping, sexual assault and public intoxication.

On Wednesday evening (6-27-07) at approximately 6:30 pm, Sheriff’s deputies responded to Girsch Park in Goleta for a report of a subject who attacked an 8 year old girl in the park. The victim explained that she was riding her bicycle around the park while her father and bother played basketball on the nearby courts. A man approached her as she was riding, and grabbed her handlebars. The suspect led the victim down a path toward a secluded area of the park where he allegedly kissed her on the mouth and ran his hand up her leg and under her shorts. During the attack, the victim repeatedly told the man to let her go. She was not released until she said she would tell her father. The suspect then fled the area on foot.

Deputies investigating the incident located the suspect’s abandoned personal belongings near where the attack occurred. Sheriff’s K9’s were able to track the suspect from the scent on the belongings. The scent led the K9 to a 4 foot in diameter drainage pipe that runs under the railroad tracks just west of the Storke Rd. overpass. 38 year old Leobardo Alatorre was found sleeping inside the drainage pipe. Further investigation placed Alatorre at the scene of the incident, leading to his arrest for kidnapping, sexual assault and public intoxication.

While random assaults of this nature are rare in Santa Barbara County, this incident serves as a reminder to all parents and guardians of young children. Be aware of your surroundings and the location of your children at all times when in public places. Teach your children how to stay safe: Teach them to always check with a parent or guardian before going anywhere; do not go out alone, always take a friend; say, “NO” if someone tries to touch them or if someone makes them feel scared and get out of the situation as quickly as possible; and always tell a parent, guardian or trusted adult of they feel scared or uncomfortable.