Reynaldo Alonzo - Repeat Sex Offender - Arrested for luring boy

A man suspected of attempting to abduct a child in Santa Ynez last week was arrested Tuesday in Fresno and is a registered sex offender.

According to the California Registered Sex Offender website, Reynaldo Alonzo, 41, is registered in Fresno for committing a lewd or lascivious act with a child under 14 years old.

The Santa Barbara Sherriff’s Department first began investigating Alonzo when Anjie Park reported a man had tried to lure her 14-year-old son into his van Aug. 3 at the Roundup Market in Santa Ynez.

With the help of Chumash Casino investigators, Sheriff’s Department investigators were able to identify Alonzo and drove to Fresno where they arrested him, Lt. Mark Liddi said. Alonzo was arrested for alleged child annoying and booked into the Santa Maria Jail Aug. 11, and the case information has been submitted to the district attorney’s office for review.

“That doesn’t mean the D.A. won’t opt to charge him with other crimes,” Liddi said. “There’s always the possibility they’ll charge him with attempting a lewd act with a child, but that’s up to them.”

Since Alonzo is a registered sex offender, Liddi said, this offense would be considered a felony. Though the man lived in Fresno, Liddi said authorities don’t know why he was in the Valley.

According to an email Anjie Park distributed throughout the Valley, her son was waiting at the Roundup Market when Alonzo approached him. Alonzo allegedly initiated conversation by commenting on the boy’s Found Ministries cap, allegedly saying he’d been praying for a new friend and wanted to pray with the boy.

“I can’t think of a more clever way to gain the trust of a young guy than to present a van ride as a ministry opportunity,” Park said in the email.

Alonzo allegedly told the boy they could watch movies in his van for five hours until Alonzo had to return to the casino. When the boy said he refused, Alonzo allegedly offered him a brand new iPhone if he got in the van.

The suspect then allegedly grabbed the boy around the middle, but the boy ran away to a nearby restaurant and contacted his mother. The mother reported Alonzo circled the block looking for the boy.