Child Molestation Suspect Surrenders
A monthlong search for a man accused of sexually assaulting two girls ended Monday when he walked silently into Long Beach Police headquarters, escorted by his pastor.
Darnell Rucker Jr., 22, was immediately arrested and charged with five counts of child molestation, police said. Bail was set at $375,000.
According to police, two girls, ages 12 and 13, identified Rucker in a photo lineup and accused him of luring them into his Long Beach apartment Feb. 24.
They and a friend, all Long Beach residents, said they were walking home when the suspect offered them a ride, invited them into his apartment and then allegedly assaulted two of the girls, Cpl. Harry Erickson said. Rucker shoved two of the girls out of his apartment after the assault, police said. The third escaped later and called police.
The pastor, who was not identified, told police that Rucker was tired of running from the law. Erickson said he could not confirm whether Rucker had confessed to police.
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