Authorities say Gilardo Vadillo Nunez, 53, has molested at least four girls under the age of 15. Officers have been searching for him for more than two weeks.
"It's sad and maddening that this man used the victims' quinceanera as a way to find his victims," said LAPD Lt. Paul Vernon in a statement.
Nunez allegedly took video of himself inappropriately touching the victims as the girls posed in his Humvee. His wife was often present, but she told police she was unaware of the crimes. One of his alleged victims finally came forward last month.
Computers and memory cards from cameras were found during a search of Nunez's Panorama City home. Police say the items were in a hidden closet, separate from other photography equipment in the house.
"These items are undergoing forensic analysis, and we expect to find other victims," Vernon said.
Police say Nunez was well known in the past five years among the Hispanic community in the San Fernando Valley for photographing quinceañeras. The victims' families had contracted Hollywood Photos and Video for their daughters' quinceañera, and the photography sessions were usually performed at Brand Park in Mission Hills and other local parks.
Neighbor Lola Devalle said she was not surprised by the allegations.
"He's just very hostile," she said.
An arrest warrant has been issued for Nunez, who is described as 5 feet 5 inches tall and medium build, with a receding hairline. He drives a recognizable yellow Humvee with license plate 5CUK746.
He and his wife ran Hollywood Photos and Video, but his wife is not implicated in any crimes.
Anyone with information is urged to call Crimestoppers at (800) 222-TIPS.
