Petaluma police arrest man suspected of sexually abusing young girl for several years

A Petaluma man suspected of sexually abusing a young girl, who was the child of friends, over a period of several years was arrested last week, police said Friday.

Erick Francisco Pimentel-Alvarado, 32, allegedly started abusing the child when she was about 5 years old. The suspect was a friend of the girl's parents, police said.

The investigation into the suspect started on Oct. 25 and Pimentel-Alvarado was arrested about 5:30 p.m. Oct. 27 in the 800 block of Lakeville Circle, police said.

Pimentel-Alvarado was booked into Sonoma County Jail on suspicion of crimes that include aggravated sexual assault of a child and sex with a child under 10 years old.

The suspect is being held at Sonoma County Jail on bail of $5 million, and has a court date on Nov. 12, according to the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office jail website.

Petaluma police detectives say they have reason to believe there may be additional victims of Pimentel-Alvarado.

Anyone with information concerning the case or any other related incidents is asked to contact Petaluma Police Department Detective Corie Joerger at (707) 778-4456.