Suspect arrested after child molested in Coachella
The Riverside County Sheriffs Department has arrested a man accused of sexually assaulting a young girl in Coachella on Monday.
Officials said 56-year-old Ricky Lee Strand of Indio was identified as the suspect following a lengthy investigation. Investigators served a search warrant at a home in the 82700 block of Castleton Drive on Wednesday and Strand was taken into custody.
The investigation began after Coachella police were called to a home on the 84000 block of Bagdad Avenue Monday at 1:05 p.m. That’s where the suspect is accused of approaching the young girl who was playing near her home.
Investigators say the suspect then touched the girl inappropriately. He was described as a heavy-set white man. The Thermal Sheriff’s Station and Indio Police Department assisted with the investigation.
Authorities said Strand was booked into the Riverside County Jail in Indio on charges of aggravated sexual assault of a child under 14 years, penetration of a foreign object and child molestation by force.
His bail was set at $1 million.
News Channel 3 and CBS Local 2 will keep you up-to-date as the case moves forward in court.
Parents and family members are encouraged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious people or activities to their local law enforcement agency immediately.
