Elderly Man Accused Molesting Girls, Luring Them with Dog

A 76-year-old man was behind bars today for allegedly molesting one preschooler and attempting to do the same to another in a condominium complex near his North County home.

Tito Pimentel Callanta of Oceanside was arrested Saturday on suspicion of victimizing the two girls, ages 3 and 5, in the 4200 block of Tiberon Drive on separate occasions last month, according to police.

In both cases, Callanta allegedly used his two small dogs to lure the children behind a commercial trash bin for purposes of committing lewd acts on them, Lt. Leonard Mata said.

On Oct. 21, the suspect allegedly made a failed attempt to molest the older girl, who fled and reported what had happened to her parents. While detectives were investigating those accusations, they learned that Callanta allegedly had molested the younger child under similar circumstances earlier in the month.

He was booked into county jail in Vista on suspicion of child molestation charges and a kidnapping count involving the older girl. He was being held on $500,000 bail pending arraignment, scheduled for Tuesday afternoon.

Police believe there may be more alleged victims in the case and asked anyone with information to call Detective Joe Ingorvaia at (760) 435-4824.

—City News Service