Mira Loma man arrested for sexually assaulting 11-year-old runaway

RIVERSIDE, Calif.

The 11-year-old girl was picked up on a roadway on Friday shortly after running away from home, according to the Riverside Police Department.

The suspect, later identified as 34-year-old Erik Dean Boettcher, allegedly drove the girl to an uninhabited area and sexually assaulted her. He then allegedly took her to a Corona motel he gave her drugs and further sexually assaulted her.

On Saturday, the girl was dropped off in a Riverside parking lot, and she walked to a police station where she reported the incident.

On Tuesday, investigators identified Boettcher as the suspect. He was located and arrested on multiple sexual assault charges and was held without bail.

Boettcher did not enter a plea in court Thursday. He's due back in court on March 6.

Police said Boettcher was on Post Release Community Supervision and was released early from incarceration to reduce prison overcrowding.

Anyone with information on this investigation is asked to contact Detective Rita Cobb at (951) 353-7120 or Detective Laura Ellefson at (951) 353-7126.

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