Arrest of Man Suspected in Stalking Girls in Sylmar NR13177pv

Los Angeles:  Armed with an arrest warrant, obtained this morning, detectives went to the home of Jhismer Aguilar and arrested him on 14 misdemeanor counts of annoying children and endangering children.

Aguilar is the same 20-year-old man detectives interviewed May 21 after a 12-year-old victim took a picture of his car, following a stalking incident near Sylmar High School.

“The standard bail would have been $245,000, but the judge upped it to $545,000, adding his personal notation that Aguilar presented a danger to society,” explained Lt. Paul Vernon, commanding officer of the Mission Detective Division.  “We’re relieved he’s in custody and known to the public now.”

Aguilar has been identified by victims, ages 12 to 16, as a man who frequented the streets around Olive Vista Middle School and Sylmar High School in a black 1995 Honda.  He would circle the schools and call out to victims, sometimes ordering them to get in his car.

Since publicizing the incidents, earlier this week, three more victims have come forward.  In total, six girls were annoyed, “but we think there are probably more,” Lt. Vernon added.  “We’d like any other persons who might have been approached or accosted by Aguilar to call us.”

Aguilar is unemployed and lives in Sylmar, within one mile of Tyler Street and Dronfield Avenue, where he frequented so often that at least one victim had noticed him on multiple occasions and remarked that he had stopped hanging out there last week.

Aguilar’s date of birth is February 7, 1993.

Anyone with information on this crime is urged to call Detective Stephen Bell, Mission Sex Unit, at (818) 838-9971.  During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7.  Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477).  Tipsters may also contact Crime Stoppers by texting to phone number 274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S on most keypads) with a cell phone.  All text messages should begin with the letters “LAPD.” Tipsters may also go to LAPDOnline.org, click on "webtips" and follow the prompts.