Ice Cream Vendor Held in Molestation Case

A Van Nuys ice cream vendor was arrested Sunday on suspicion of child molestation after he allegedly kissed and fondled a 13-year-old girl who had walked up to make a purchase at the truck, authorities said.

Salvador Perez, 28, was arrested by sheriff’s deputies who located his truck after the girl reported the attack to her mother, said Deputy Angie McLaughlin, a spokeswoman for the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

The spokeswoman refused to disclose the exact location of the incident.

McLaughlin said Perez is not considered a suspect in the recent series of child molestations in the west San Fernando Valley.

McLaughlin said Perez, who is an independent vendor, pulled the girl “into the ice cream truck, then kissed and fondled her through her clothing before she was able to escape.”

Perez was booked at the Lost Hills sheriff’s station and charged with one count each of lewd conduct with a minor and one count of attempted kidnaping, McLaughlin said. He is being held at the Lost Hill’s station on $50,000 bail, she said.