A Philadelphia man who met a 13-year-old girl on TikTok was arrested after allegedly luring her over 250 miles to his home via a paid Uber, and sexually assaulting her.
On March 27, Angel Lopez, 19, was arrested at his Philadelphia residence after the missing teen managed to escape, according to police. The Westmoreland County District Attorney’s Office stated that Lopez communicated with the girl on TikTok for four days before instructing her to leave a note for her family saying she had run away.
He then allegedly arranged and paid for an Uber to transport her from her home in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, to his apartment on Ogontz Street in Philadelphia.
Detective Sergeant Justin Scalzo revealed that Lopez told the girl not to bring any electronic devices and sent a message stating, “I want you to leave no trace behind.”
Upon arriving at his apartment, the teen was instructed to turn off her phone, given drugs, and subsequently sexually assaulted. Afterward, Lopez reportedly told her to shower in an attempt to remove traces of his DNA.
The victim later told police that when she expressed her desire to leave, Lopez responded chillingly, “They won’t be able to find you anyway.”
Fearing for her life, the girl pulled out strands of her own hair and scattered them around the apartment as a way to leave evidence of her presence. Scalzo explained that this act was prompted by Lopez’s threats and the victim’s determination to ensure that investigators could find some trace of her if she disappeared.
The teen seized an opportunity to escape when she heard someone in the apartment hallway. She hoped that if Lopez tried to stop her, the person outside might notice and intervene. Authorities were able to locate and safely return her home after she fled.
Lopez now faces multiple charges, including kidnapping a minor, trafficking, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse with a person under 16, unlawful contact with a minor, statutory sexual assault, and corruption of minors. He remains in custody as legal proceedings continue.
Check back for updates.
[Feature Photo via WTAE/YouTube]
*Editor’s Note: The story has been updated to reflect the suspect was not an Uber driver.*
