Ex-teacher sought in kidnapping is arrested
A former teacher wanted on suspicion of kidnapping, assault with a deadly weapon and attempting to commit lewd acts on a 15-year-old in the San Dimas area has been arrested, officials said Thursday.
Steven Petralia, 50, was taken into custody Wednesday in La Verne, according to a statement issued by Sheriff’s Deputy Maribel Rizo. Petralia was featured on the television show “America’s Most Wanted” and had eluded capture for months, Rizo said. She said detectives learned of Petralia’s whereabouts when they discovered he had advertised the sale of stuffed animals on the Internet.
He is being held in lieu of $1.3 million bail.
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