Man arrested for using social media to lure, kidnap teen

CHINO HILLS, Calif. (KABC) -- A Riverside man was arrested on suspicion of using social media and the promise of a job at Amazon to lure and kidnap a 19-year-old girl.

On Wednesday, authorities say Aaron Misael Viteri Vera, 22, lured a victim to Chino Hills by falsely representing himself as an employer for Amazon. He then held the victim against her will.

He had met the victim on a social media site Meetme.com designed to connect people for social, personal and professional relationships. The victim posted her profile as seeking employment.

Vera, who used the screen name Jay Delgado, communicated with the girl for weeks through the application and in text messages promising her employment at the Amazon warehouse. According to authorities, Vera told the girl his name was "Jay" or "James."

On Feb. 26, Vera and the victim were scheduled to meet at a Chino Hills Subway to discuss possible employment with Amazon. He then waited for the victim in his car and told her he no longer wanted to eat at the restaurant.

Vera offered to drive the victim to Wendy's instead. She got in the car and Vera began driving on the 71 Freeway. He then took her cellphone and refused to give it back to her.

When the victim realized they were no longer heading toward Wendy's she became alarmed and a brief struggle ensued in the car.

The victim opened the door to jump out of the car, but Vera allegedly grabbed her by the waist of her pants, attempting to keep her in the vehicle.

As he began to slow down the car, the victim jumped out of the car and ran. She reported the incident to police, who investigated the matter.

Detectives and deputies from the Multiple Enforcement Team at the Chino Hills station served a search warrant at Vera's house in Riverside Wednesday morning.

He was then taken into custody and booked at West Valley Detention Center for kidnapping and outstanding warrants for robbery.

According to authorities, Very had documents with names of other women and several profiles on various social media sites. Detectives believe there may be additional victims.

"People should be aware that even if they are on a site that has a great reputation, keep in mind that not everyone on there is there for the right reasons," said Cindy Bachman, public information officer for the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Chino Hills Police Department at (909) 364-2000.