Man suspected of kidnap attempt on teen girl re-enters not guilty pleas
A Coachella man suspected of trying to kidnap a 15-year-old girl in Thermal re-entered not guilty pleas today to felony charges.
Christian Daniel Arreola, 20, is charged with one felony count each of assault with intent to commit mayhem, sexual battery, and attempted kidnapping, robbery and/or rape. He initially pleaded not guilty to the charges Sept. 14, 2022.
At the end of a preliminary hearing Jan. 3, Riverside County Superior Court judge Anthony Villalobos ruled there was sufficient evidence to hold Arreola to answer on all charges, according to court records. He re-entered not guilty pleas to the charges Wednesday morning at the Larson Justice Center in Indio.
On Sept. 6, 2022, the victim was walking home from Coachella Valley High School on a dirt path through a palm tree field, in the area of Airport Boulevard and Calhoun Street, when Arreola drove into the same path, according to a declaration in support of a bail increase for the defendant. It's alleged that he stopped, checked parts on his car and looked around before the girl walked past him.
Arreola allegedly grabbed her, pinched her right breast and grabbed her left shoulder as she attempted to get away, according to the document. He then allegedly wrapped his arm around her upper body and neck, choked her, and pulled her toward him but she was able to get her head out by slipping downward.
When she got out of his grasp, she fell backward onto the ground where Arreola allegedly tried to get on top of her, according to court papers. She kicked him and tried to hit him with her water bottle but Arreola allegedly grabbed and tried to pull her shirt off until it ripped.
The girl, who sustained bruises to her face, breasts, neck and arms, believed that he was attempting to take her away because his vehicle door was open, according to the document. It's alleged that Arreola suddenly stopped his attack at some point, went back to his vehicle and drove away, before the girl stood up and ran home where she called her mom.
Sgt. David Aldrich of the Riverside County Sheriff's Department said the girl was taken to a hospital for treatment of minor injuries sustained during the struggle.
Arreola remains held at the John J. Benoit Detention Center in Indio on $2 million bail. He has no prior felony convictions in Riverside County.
Anyone with information about the case was encouraged to contact Investigator Glasper of the sheriff's Thermal station at 760-863-8950. Anonymous tips can be submitted to 760-341-7867.
