The Bakersfield Police Department booked a man for murder and sexual assault charges in the case of a missing 13-year-old girl from Bakersfield Sunday night.
Further investigation led police to detain 24-year-old Armando Cruz of Inglewood, California, for his involvement of the disappearance of Patricia Alatorre, who went missing July 1 at 11:30 p.m.
The 13-year-old girl went missing in the area of Hosking Ave. and Wible Road, and according to police, Cruz is the owner of a white, older-model pick-up last seen leaving the area at the same time and location Alatorre was last seen.
BPD Detectives located and seized the vehicle and detained Cruz for further questioning of his involvement in Alatorre's disappearance.
Cruz was then arrested just hours after being detained.
Cruz faces 18 felonies and one misdemeanor. The charges include first-degree murder and sexual assault.
This is a developing story. We will continue to update it as we learn more details.
